Old Testament Reading: Genesis 46:5 – 7; 46:26 – 47:31

“Then Jacob set out from Beersheba. The sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons that Pharaoh had sent to carry him. They also took their livestock and their goods, which they had gained in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob and all his offspring with him, his sons, and his sons’ sons with him, his daughters, and his sons’ daughters. All his offspring he brought with him into Egypt… [46:26] All the persons belonging to Jacob who came into Egypt, who were his own descendants, not including Jacob’s sons’ wives, were sixty-six persons in all. And the sons of Joseph, who were born to him in Egypt, were two. All the persons of the house of Jacob who came into Egypt were seventy. 

He had sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to show the way before him in Goshen, and they came into the land of Goshen. Then Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to meet Israel his father in Goshen. He presented himself to him and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while. Israel said to Joseph, ‘Now let me die, since I have seen your face and know that you are still alive.’ 

Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, ‘I will go up and tell Pharaoh and will say to him, ‘My brothers and my father’s household, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me. And the men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock, and they have brought their flocks and their herds and all that they have.’ When Pharaoh calls you and says, ‘What is your occupation?’ you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers,’ in order that you may dwell in the land of Goshen, for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians. [47:1] So Joseph went in and told Pharaoh, ‘My father and my brothers, with their flocks and herds and all that they possess, have come from the land of Canaan. They are now in the land of Goshen.’ And from among his brothers he took five men and presented them to Pharaoh. Pharaoh said to his brothers, ‘What is your occupation?’ And they said to Pharaoh, ‘Your servants are shepherds, as our fathers were.’ They said to Pharaoh, ‘We have come to sojourn in the land, for there is no pasture for your servants’ flocks, for the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. And now, please let your servants dwell in the land of Goshen.’ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Your father and your brothers have come to you. The land of Egypt is before you. Settle your father and your brothers in the best of the land. Let them settle in the land of Goshen, and if you know any able men among them, put them in charge of my livestock.’ 

Then Joseph brought in Jacob his father and stood him before Pharaoh, and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said to Jacob, ‘How many are the days of the years of your life?’ And Jacob said to Pharaoh, ‘The days of the years of my sojourning are 130 years. Few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their sojourning.’ And Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from the presence of Pharaoh. 

Then Joseph settled his father and his brothers and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. And Joseph provided his father, his brothers, and all his father’s household with food, according to the number of their dependents. 

Now there was no food in all the land, for the famine was very severe, so that the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan languished by reason of the famine. And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, in exchange for the grain that they bought. And Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house. And when the money was all spent in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, ‘Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes? For our money is gone.’ And Joseph answered, ‘Give your livestock, and I will give you food in exchange for your livestock, if your money is gone.’ So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and Joseph gave them food in exchange for the horses, the flocks, the herds, and the donkeys. He supplied them with food in exchange for all their livestock that year. And when that year was ended, they came to him the following year and said to him, ‘We will not hide from my lord that our money is all spent. The herds of livestock are my lord’s. There is nothing left in the sight of my lord but our bodies and our land. Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land for food, and we with our land will be servants to Pharaoh. And give us seed that we may live and not die, and that the land may not be desolate.’ So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, for all the Egyptians sold their fields, because the famine was severe on them. The land became Pharaoh’s. As for the people, he made servants of them from one end of Egypt to the other. Only the land of the priests he did not buy, for the priests had a fixed allowance from Pharaoh and lived on the allowance that Pharaoh gave them; therefore they did not sell their land. Then Joseph said to the people, ‘Behold, I have this day bought you and your land for Pharaoh. Now here is seed for you, and you shall sow the land. And at the harvests you shall give a fifth to Pharaoh, and four fifths shall be your own, as seed for the field and as food for yourselves and your households, and as food for your little ones.’ And they said, ‘You have saved our lives; may it please my lord, we will be servants to Pharaoh.’ So Joseph made it a statute concerning the land of Egypt, and it stands to this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth; the land of the priests alone did not become Pharaoh’s. 

Thus Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen. And they gained possessions in it, and were fruitful and multiplied greatly. And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the days of Jacob, the years of his life, were 147 years. And when the time drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, ‘If now I have found favor in your sight, put your hand under my thigh and promise to deal kindly and truly with me. Do not bury me in Egypt, but let me lie with my fathers. Carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burying place.’ He answered, ‘I will do as you have said.’ And he said, ‘Swear to me’; and he swore to him. Then Israel bowed himself upon the head of his bed.” (Genesis 46:5 – 7; 46:26 – 47:31, 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 I said in the introduction to the previous sermon, Genesis chapters 46 – 47 belong together. They tell the story of the third and final journey of the family of Joseph down into Egypt. This time it was not only a portion of the family that went, but all of Israel. Jacob and every one of his offspring went down. And this time the family would not quickly return, but they and their descendents would remain in Egypt for centuries.

The narrative of Genesis has made it abundantly clear that this was the will of the LORD. It was the will of the LORD that the Hebrew people would grow into a great nation in Egypt.  

Of course, it is correct to say that all things that come to pass are the will of the LORD. We come to know what the hidden will of God is by observing the outworking of his eternal decree in the unfolding of human history. But here I am saying that Israel’s going down into Egypt to grow into a great nation there was a part of God’s revealed will. To Abraham (when he was still Abram) God said, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age” (Genesis 15:13–15, ESV). And to Jacob God said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation” (Genesis 46:3, ESV). Genesis 46 and 47 describes to us the beginning of that period in the history of Israel — the Egyptian period.

The passage that is before us today is very long. I would like to consider it in seven parts. 

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All Of Israel Went Down Into Egypt 

First of all, let us recognize that when Jacob went down into Egypt, all of Israel went with him. They were the complete nation of Israel in miniature, ready to grow as God had ordained. This is the emphasis of verses 5 through 27.

I have said that Jacob took his family down into Egypt, which is true. He was the highly esteemed head the of his clan. The family went to Egypt only with his approval. But in reality his family carried him given his old age. 

I refrained from reading “the names of the descendants of Israel, who came into Egypt” in verses 46:8 through 25. The thing to notice here is that the number which Moses gives to the clan is 70. 66 sons are listed, but if one counts Jacob’s daughter Dinah and also Joseph and his two sons who were already in Egypt, the number is 70. Verse 26: “All the persons belonging to Jacob who came into Egypt, who were his own descendants, not including Jacob’s sons’ wives, were sixty-six persons in all. And the sons of Joseph, who were born to him in Egypt, were two. All the persons of the house of Jacob who came into Egypt were seventy”. 

As you can imagine, there are different ways to count this clan. The total number of people in Jacob’s house who went down into Egypt was probably much larger than 70 if all of the wives and servants of Jacob and his sons were listed. But 70 is the number of Jacob’s physical descendents who moved from Canaan to Egypt, including Joseph who went down much earlier and under different circumstances. 

The number 70 is a number of completion. It communicates symbolically that all of Israel went down into Egypt. It is also significant that in Genesis 10  we find a list of the sons of Shem, Ham and Japheth, who were the sons of Noah. There were learn that 70 sons were born to them after the flood, and that  from those 70 sons all of the nations of the earth descended. We call that list the table of nations. So, from Noah and his sons all of the nations of the earth descended — Genesis lists 70. The Hebrew people descended from Shem, Eber (H -eber-ew), Tarah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  And when Jacob went down into Egypt 70 of his descendents are listed so that we might understand that a nation would come from them, and from this nation a new humanity would spring forth. From this 70 — the 70 of Jacob — God would provide a Savior for the 70 who descended from the sons of Noah. The 70  of Jacob correspond to the 70 of the sons of Noah. Not only do they correspond, but they would, in the fullness of time, bring forth the remedy for their sins — Jesus the Christ, who is the Savior of the world. 

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Jacob Reunited With Joseph

Secondly, let us consider the reunion of Jacob and Joseph. The account of this is found in verses 28-30. 

Notice these three things. 

One, notice that Judah again takes the lead. Verse 28: Jacob “had sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to show the way before him in Goshen, and they came into the land of Goshen. Judah’s checkered past should be remembered. Among other things, he was the one who suggested that Joseph be sold into slaver all those years ago. But we should not forget the transformation that we saw in him. He showed deep concern for his brother and his father when Joseph threatened to take Benjamin captive. He offered himself up as a substitute for the boy. And because of this we have said that Judah was a type of the Christ who would descend from him, the lion of the tribe of Judah. Here in this scene Judah continues in the lead. He went before the others to prepare the way into the land of Goshen. And in this respect he is also a type of the Christ who would descend from him.

Christ lived, died and rose again. The New Testament refers to him as “the first-fruits” in regard to the resurrection. He rose from the dead and has ascended into the heavenly places in glory, leading the way for his brethren. This is why he spoke to his disciples in this way before his death: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:1–3, ESV). 

Judah again functioned as a type of the Christ who would descend from him when he went ahead into Goshen to prepare a place for Israel and to mediate the reunion of Jacob and Joseph, who had been raised from the dead, figuratively speaking.

Two, see Joseph’s love for Jacob. Verse 29: “Then Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to meet Israel his father in Goshen. He presented himself to him and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while.” Underneath Joseph’s faithful, resolute and strong disposition was a tender heart. He loved his father and missed him very much, having been separated from him for all of those years.

Three, notice Jacob’s relief. Verse 30: “Israel said to Joseph, ‘Now let me die, since I have seen your face and know that you are still alive.’” Jacob would not die for many more years, but now he was at peace regarding his son Joseph. Before he said, “I shall go down to Sheol to my son, mourning” (Genesis 37:35). Now he says, “Now let me die, since I have seen your face and know that you are still alive.’”

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Joseph And His Brothers Before Pharaoh

Thirdly, let us consider Joseph and his brothers as they stood before Pharaoh.

Joseph again proves himself to be very wise. His desire was that his family settle in Goshen (which Moses later calls “the land of Rameses”). 

The reasons for this were probably threefold. One, the land was good for grazing sheep which was the occupation of the sons of Jacob. Two, the land was set off a bit from the population of Egypt. This would have protected Israel from racial discrimination. And three, the land was near the boarder of Canaan which would have allowed Israel to more easily return at the appointed time.

Joseph was wise to first settle his family there, then to go before Pharaoh saying, my family has come, they are shepherds, and they are currently in Goshen. Pharaoh simply recognized and approved of Joseph’s decision, saying, “Your father and your brothers have come to you. The land of Egypt is before you. Settle your father and your brothers in the best of the land. Let them settle in the land of Goshen…” And even better, Pharaoh said, “if you know any able men among them, put them in charge of my livestock.” The brothers were offered positions in the service of Pharaoh.

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Jacob Blesses Pharaoh

Fourthly, let us consider that Jacob blessed Pharaoh. This is very significant, for the greater blesses the lesser. Jacob blessed Pharaoh not once, but twice.  

After the rather cold and formal interaction between the Pharaoh and the brothers of Joseph, the tone changes to one of warmth as Joseph presents his father to Pharaoh. 

In 47:7 we learn that “Jacob blessed Pharaoh” the moment that he saw him. Certainly we  are to remember the promise that God made to Abraham, saying, “And 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 12:2–3, ESV). Here we see a fulfillment to that promise. Pharaoh blessed Israel on account of Joseph, and Israel pronounced a blessing upon the Pharaoh. 

[APPLICATION: We should never forget that this was Israel’s purpose from the start — to be a blessing to the nations. God set Abraham, Isaac and Jacob apart and promised to make a great nation of them so that they might be a blessing to the nations. This theme has permeated the Genesis narrative. And this theme will continue throughout the Old Testament scriptures. God set Israel apart, not for the sake of Israel only, but so that through Israel the nations might be blessed. Ultimately, the blessing is that through Israel the nations would also be reconciled to God through the Christ who would come into the world through them. When Jacob stood before Pharaoh and blessed him it is to remind us of this purpose for Israels existence — they were blessed to be a blessing.]

Notice the respect and the warmth in Pharaoh’s reply. Verse 8: “Pharaoh said to Jacob, ‘How many are the days of the years of your life?’” 

[APPLICATION: In the ancient world (and in many other cultures around the world to this day) age is honored. In our culture it is often considered to be rude to ask an elderly person about their age. But this only shows how foolishness and vain we are. In our culture we celebrate youthfulness and celebrity, but for what? Should we not honor those who possess true wisdom? Should we not honor those with life experience? Surely, the church in America is to be countercultural in this regard. 

Young and old should pursue maturity and wisdom all the days of their life. 

Those advanced in years should not neglect the responsibility they have to be an example to the young. Remember how Paul wrote to Titus saying, “But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled” (Titus 2:1–5, ESV). Those advanced in years should not look down upon their age but see that they have a particular responsibility to lead by example within the church and within the culture. 

And those who are young should not fail to appreciate the wisdom of those who are older, who have gained it through life experience.] 

Here in Genesis 47 we learn that Jacob blessed Pharaoh twice. Once at the beginning of their interaction and again at the end. This is one of those instanced where things are not as they appear. According to the  appearance of things, Pharaoh was much greater than Jacob. Pharaoh was the supreme ruler of a great and mighty nation. This nation was used by the LORD to preserve many through this time of famine. Pharaoh’s wealth and power was tremendous.  Undoubtably, he was arrayed in glory. Jacob must have appeared very humble, frail and poor by comparison. And yet Jacob was the more significant person. He wads chosen of the Lord. Though him and through his offspring the Christ would come into the world. Though him and through his offspring the kingdom of God would be established. And so it is with God’s kingdom as it advances in this world — it always seems to be weak and poor and frail when compared to the kingdoms of this world. But in fact, the kingdom of God is greater. Things are not always what they appear, brothers and sisters.

[APPLICATION: It was right that Jacob blessed Pharaoh, for this was the will of the Lord for the Hebrews, that through them the nations of the earth would be blessed. And are we not to do the same as the Israel of God in this New Covenant era? Are we not also to pray for and bless those who rule over us, even if they be ungodly and unbelieving. Paul wrote to Timothy saying, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Timothy 2:1–2, ESV). Israel came under the authority of Egypt when he brought his family to sojourn in that land. And what did do except bless the Pharaoh?  Brothers and sisters, let us be faithful to pray for those who rule over us.]

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Israel Settled In Egypt

Fifthly, let us consider that Israel settled in Egypt in the land of Goshen (or Rameses). This is reported in 47:11-12: “Then Joseph settled his father and his brothers and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. And Joseph provided his father, his brothers, and all his father’s household with food, according to the number of their dependents” (Genesis 47:11–12, ESV).

Although Israel was hard pressed on every side by the severe famine, the LORD provided for them. He gave Israel “the best of the land” of Egypt and provided them with their daily bread. 

[APPLICATION: The people of God should take encouragement from this, for here we see the faithfulness of the LORD shown to his people. He promised to go with Jacob down into Egypt to preserve him, and to bring him back again. We should not be surprised that LORD also richly provided for Israel while in Egypt. He gave them the best of the land and a regular provision of food. Christ taught his disciples to pray, “give us this day our daily bread” knowing that the Father would be faithful to answer that  prayer to provide for them. And the writer to Hebrews exhorts us saying, “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5–6, ESV).]

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Egypt Endures Famine

Sixthly, let us consider that Egypt (and Canaan) endured years of famine. In verses 13 we read, “Now there was no food in all the land, for the famine was very severe, so that the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan languished by reason of the famine” (Genesis 47:13, ESV).

You and I do not know what it is like to endure famine. I doubt that many even consider it a possibility in our modern, globalized and technologically advanced society. The grocery stores were well stocked throughout the years of drought that we endured he in Southern California. Though we longed to be refreshed by rain, no one suffered a lack of food or water con account of the drought. 

But Egypt and Canaan languished during these years. Were it not for God revealing to Joseph that the famine was coming and giving him the wisdom to prepare for it, many would have perished. Here we see God’s common grace displayed. Though they languished, mercy was shown to the people of the land through Joseph’s relief plan. 

Verses 14 — 26 describe to us the progression of things in Egypt. First, the Egyptians purchased grain from Pharaoh with money. After the money was gone, they sold their livestock to Pharaoh. And after their livestock was gone, they sold their land, and even themselves into the service of Pharaoh. 

Those of us who are in favor of limited government and low taxation recoil a bit when we hear about this economic policy. But it is difficult to see what else could have been done given the dire circumstances. Evidently Joseph refused to simply hand out grain. The grain had to be purchased at every stage, which is certainly right.  But the end result  was that all of the people of Egypt (with the exception of the priests) were made servants of Pharaoh. From the days of Joseph to the days of Moses the people of Egypt gave the Pharaoh a fifth. In general the people of Egypt were grateful saying, 

“You have saved our lives; may it please my lord, we will be servants to Pharaoh.”

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Israel Blessed In Egypt

Seventhly, and lastly, let us consider that Israel was blessed in Egypt. 

In verse 27 we read, “Thus Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen. And they gained possessions in it, and were fruitful and multiplied greatly” (Genesis 47:27, ESV). While the people of Egypt and Canaan languished, Israel flourished. They were fruitful and multiplied greatly, for the LORD was with them to bless them even as they sojourned in Egypt while enduring the famine. 

Though Israel was blessed in Egypt, Jacob’s heart was in the land of promise. Verse 28: “Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the days of Jacob, the years of his life, were 147 years. And when the time drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, ‘If now I have found favor in your sight, put your hand under my thigh and promise to deal kindly and truly with me. Do not bury me in Egypt, but let me lie with my fathers. Carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burying place.’ He answered, ‘I will do as you have said.’ And he said, ‘Swear to me’; and he swore to him. Then Israel bowed himself upon the head of his bed” (Genesis 47:28–31, ESV).

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Conclusion

If there is one big picture piece of application to draw from this story it must be that God is faithful to bless his people while they sojourn in a foreign lands. This is particularly important for the people of God living in the New Covenant era to know, for we are all sojourners living in foreign lands, spiritually speaking. There is no particular piece of land that belongs to the people of God under the New Covenant. We are all sojourns who long to see the new heavens and earth.  

This is what Peter said: “But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13, ESV). And it was also Peter who said, “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:11–12, ESV). 

Many find their security in their nation, their land and their home. But the Christian sojourner runs to God and to the Christ he has sent for security. Our refuge is in him. He is our comfort and our peace. 

“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20–21, ESV).

Tags: Genesis 46-47

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QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AT HOME OR IN GOSPEL COMMUNITY GROUPS

• What were Jacob’s fears before journeying to Egypt with his family? Though they are not stated directly, they are implied in the narrative and in the overarching story of Genesis. 
• Why is it imperative to remember the promises made to the patriarch when interpreting this story?
• Discuss how God’s word to Jacob was a lamp to his feet and a light to his path (see Psalm 119:105).
• Discuss how God’s word functions like a  lamp to our feet and a light to our path today.

Tags: Gospel Community Groups

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Old Testament Reading: Genesis 46:1-4

“So Israel took his journey with all that he had and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, ‘Jacob, Jacob.’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then he said, ‘I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.”

New Testament Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-12

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 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. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.” (1 Peter 1:3–12, 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 are rapidly approaching the end of our study of the book of Genesis. But as we near the end I wish to remind you that this book, from beginning to end, is a book about the beginning of things. That is what the name “Genesis” means — origin or beginning. 

In this book we were told about the beginning of God’s creation, the beginning of God’s covenantal dealings with man with the establishment of the covenant of works in the garden. The beginning of sin and death was also described to us, along with the beginning of God’s surprisingly gracious responce to it. Shortly after mans fall into sin God promised to provide a savior. This was the beginning of the Gospel of Jesus the Christ. 

But very early in Genesis we began to see that God would bring this savior into the world through a particular people. Distinctions were made between people. Righteous and unrighteous lines were identified. And all of this grew in clarity with the call of Abram. Promises were made to him. A covenant was cut with him. And so Genesis reveals to us the beginning of God’s covenantal dealings with Abraham and his offspring. 

We should remember that there were two covenants incubating within the Abrahamic Covenant. On the one hand, God made promises to Abraham that he would have many offspring, and that through his offspring all the nations of the earth would be blessed. We know (for the scriptures plainly teach this) that these promises find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus the Christ and the New Covenant that would be ratified in his blood. The Covenant of Grace was embedded, therefore, within the Abrahamic Covenant, in the form of promise. And so in the book of Genesis we see the beginning of the Covenant of Grace ratified in Christ’s blood. But other promises were made to Abraham which had reference, not only to the Christ who would come from his lions and to all the spiritual blessing found in him, but to his more immediate offspring. He was promised a child, and many descendents through him. He was promised a land — the land of Canaan. He would not possess it in his lifetime, but he would he lay ahold of it through his offspring and in the resurrection. To Abraham it was even said that nations and kings would come from him. So in Abraham we see, not only the beginning the Covenant of Grace that would be ratified in Christ’s blood, but also the beginning of the Old Covenant which, in the process of time, would be mediated through Moses. Promises were made to  the patriarchs, Abraham, Issac and Jacob.  A covenant was cut with them. And in due time that covenant would give birth to Old Mosaic Covenant and to the New Covenant of Grace with Christ as its mediator. 

As I have said, the book of Genesis is a book about the beginning of things — lots of things. And as we move closer to the end of it we are seeing more clearly that this book is concerned to describe to us the beginning of the nation of Israel. This was the nation promised to Abraham. This was the nation that would come from him. And in Genesis we find an account of its origin. 

Genesis chapters 46 and 47 we read about the third and final journey taken by Joseph’s brothers down into Egypt. In Genesis 42 the brothers of Joseph went down into Egypt to buy grain leaving their youngest brothers and father at home in the land of promise. All but Simeon returned home again — he was held captive. In Genesis chapters 43 through 45 the brothers of Joseph went down into Egypt again. This time they took their brother Benjamin with them. Again, they left their father at home in the land ofCanaan. They hoped to return to him with grain, for the famine was severe in the land. They also hoped to return with every one of their siblings, including Simeon. This they did. But they also returned with good news! In 45:25 we read, “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 45:25–28, ESV). As I have said, Genesis chapters 46 and 47, which we are beginning to consider today, tell us of the about the third and final journey taken by Joseph’s family down into Egypt. 

If we loose sight of the overall story being told in Genesis — if we forget the promises made to Abraham, Isaac and Israel concerning the eventual possession of the land of Canaan, and the great nation that was to come from them — then we might miss the real drama of this narrative. The thing that gets us — the things that tugs on our heart strings — is the thought of Jacob (who is called Israel) seeing Joseph again. For all those years Jacob thought that his beloved son Joseph was dead. He lived perpetually with that lingering sadness. But in his old age he learned that he was alive! It was almost as if his beloved son had been raised from the dead. And not only was he raised from the dead, but he was exulted to the highest position of power with Egypt, with the exception of Pharaoh himself. There is a real personal and human element to this drama. Jacob must have been overjoyed. He must have been so eager to make that journey down into Egypt to see his beloved son alive and in glory. 

But what about the promises of God made to the patriarchs? What about the land? What about the nation that was to come from them? What about all of that? You see, it is in these questions that the real drama is found. Israel was eager to go down into Egypt to see his beloved son Joseph alive and in glory, but should he? That is the question. 

And certainly this would have been the question on the minds of the people to whom Moses originally delivered this book. Remember that it was Moses who wrote this book. And he delivered it to the nation of Israel after they were redeemed from Egypt and wandering in the wilderness, that is to say, prior to their conquest of Canaan. What do you think was on their minds? I’m sure that some of them wondered about their history. I’m sure that some of them wondered about their time in bondage to the Egyptians. Was it a mistake for Jacob to take his family there? Did he have a laps in faith when he made that journey? Was this “bondage in Egypt thing” a bump in the road in God plan of redemption? Did God abandon his people for a time?

The narrative that is before us today answers these questions. It is a very significant portion of scripture theologically speaking, especially as it pertains to the history of Israel.  

Genesis chapters 46 through 47 forms one unit which describes the third journey of the family of Jacob down into Egypt, but it is divided into seven scenes. I would like to consider only the first of the seven scenes this morning, leaving the rest for another time. 

Notice that in verses 1 – 4 God appeared to Jacob in a night vision. This is the last record that we have of God speaking to the patriarchs. The next time that God reveals himself to his people will be to Moses in the burning bush. Hundreds of years would pass between this moment and that one.

Notice three things about this first scene of Genesis 46. 

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Jacob Journeyed To Beersheba To Worship

One, notice that before Jacob departed for Egypt he journeyed to Beersheba to worship. 

The text doesn’t not say it explicitly, but it implies that Jacob was agonizing over the question, is it right to leave Canaan, the land of promise, and to go down into Egypt? 

Beersheba was a very important location. It was there that Abraham worshipped (Genesis 21:33). It was there that the LORD appeared to Isaac, saying, “‘I am the God of Abraham your father. Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham’s sake.’ So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the LORD…” (Genesis 26:24–25, ESV). And it was from Beersheba that Jacob departed for Haran when he was a young man fleeing from the wrath of his twin brother, Esau. 

We must remember that as a young man Jacob spent many years in bondage to his father-in-law Laban in Haran. He knew how painful it could be, therefore, to leave the land of Canaan! I’m sure that he was in this moment concerned about going into bondage again, but this time with his whole family in Egypt. Perhaps Jacob went to Beersheba because it was near there that the Lord appeared to him all those years ago as he was preparing to leave the land of promise for Haran. It was there that the LORD spoke to him in that vision with the lader going up to heaven. And we we should remember what the Lord said to him then. He said, “I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” (Genesis 28:10–15, ESV). 

Friends, we must not forget the things that Jacob experienced in his younger years. He knew the pain of leaving Canaan to go into bondage. He experienced it personally in Haran under Laban. But in that experience he also learned that his God was no tribal diety. His God was not the God of one nation, or of a particular land, as if he were confined to that place. His God was God Most High, the Lord of all creation. Jacob spent time in exile in Harah, but God was with him, just as he promised in that vision. And God was faithful to bring him home again, just as he promised in that vision. All of that must have been on Jacob’s mind as he prepared to lead his family to Egypt. It is no wonder that he went to Beersheba to worship. I’m sure that he was eager to hear from the Lord again to know for certain if he should stay or go.

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God Appeared To Jacob

Two, notice that God did appeared to Jacob there. Verse 2 says, “God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, ‘Jacob, Jacob.’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’” 

It is worth noting that although God called Jacob, “Jacob”, Moses as author and narrator of Genesis refers to him as “Israel” in this passage. It’s as if Moses wants us to see most clearly that when Jacob took his family to Egypt, he was also taking the nation of Israel there to grow and develop. 

God spoke to Jacob, saying, “‘Jacob, Jacob.’ And he said, ‘Here I am’”. This terminology is to remind us of that time when Abraham was tested when he was called by God to slay his son. Remember that when Abraham lifted the knife “the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, ‘Abraham, Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am’” (Genesis 22:11, ESV). The terminology is the same here. And this is to show that both Abraham and Jacob had their faith tested. Abraham proved that his faith was sincere, believing that God would indeed keep his promises regarding offspring, land and a nation. He believed that God could even raise the boy from the dead if necessary  — that is the interpretation that Hebrews 11:19 gives. And here in this episode Jacob’s faith was also being tested. Would he go to Egypt knowing that God could raise Israel from the dead, as it were? God called to Jacob in his moment of trial, saying, “Jacob, Jacob”. Both Abraham and Jacob replied as every faithful servant should, with the simple words, “here I am”. It’s as if he said, Here I am Lord! I stand ready and eager to hear your word and to trust and obey.

[APPLICATION:  Child of God, I ask you, is this your daily disposition before the Lord? Do you, like Abraham and Israel stand before God with the heart of a servant, saying, here I am, Lord. Teach me your word so that I might obey you?]

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God Spoke To Jacob

Three, notice that God spoke to Jacob in this night vision, and pay special attention to what God said, for it is very significant. Verse 3: “Then he said, ‘I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes’” (Genesis 46:3–4, ESV).

God revealed himself to Jacob as “God, the God of your father.” Now, God was certainly Jacob’s God too! But when God referred to himself as, “God, the God of your father” it was to remind Jacob of the promises made to Abraham and Isaac in past generations and of his constant faithfulness.

[APPLICATION: Brothers and sisters, it is good for the Christian to be reminded of God’s very great promises made to the fathers in ages past, and of God’s faithfulness. It helps us to rest assured that our God will be faithful to us today, for he does not change.]

God then directly addressed Jacob’s fears, saying “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt…” Though God was doing something that far transcended Jacob-the-individual, he none the less cared for Jacob-the-individual, and met his needs. Jacob was afraid, and God spoke to him saying, “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt…”

[APPLICATION: Friends, God does the same for you and me. He calls us to follow after him, and he also meets all our needs. This is what Paul the Apostle was referring to when he said, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:31–32, ESV). This does not mean that following after Christ will always be easy. But it does mean that God is faithful to provide for his people, for he cares for us. 

To those who fear Jesus says, “do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. ‘Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.’” (Luke 12:22–32, ESV)] 

God addressed Jacob’s fears, saying “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt…” After this God clarified that it would be in Egypt that he would bring his promises concerning a nation to fulfillment, saying, “for there I will make you into a great nation.” 

In fact, this was not the first time that God revealed this to the patriarchs. To Abraham (when he was still Abram) God said, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age” (Genesis 15:13–15, ESV). So God revealed even to Abraham that the pathway to his people becoming a great nation would involve slavery in a foreign land. To Jacob it was revealed more  specifically that the foreign land would be Egypt. 

[APPLICATION: It is always puzzling to me when Christians are surprised by suffering. It is even more puzzling to me when Christians buy into teaching which says that God’s will for us is that we not suffer. In fact, the scriptures have this theme from beginning to end — those who belong to God are not immune from suffering. In fact, often times it seems the righteous suffer the most! For Israel, the road to the attainment of the promised land was marked by difficulty, trial and tribulation. And the same is true for the Israel of God  today. Our journey to the heavenly promised land will be marked by trial and tribulation, for the Lord strengthens and refines his people through it, and in our weakness he shows himself to be strong. Friends, God says to you what he said to Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” And may we have the mind of Paul, saying in reply, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9–10, ESV). Oh Lord, give us this humble and faithful disposition.]

After revealing that he would make Israel into a great nation in Egypt, God said, “I myself will go down with you to Egypt…”  These words certainly sounded familiar to Jacob, for as he journeyed towards Haran those many years earlier the Lord comforted him in a similar way, saying, “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go.” In both situations the Lord comforted Jacob by promising to always be with him. 

[APPLICATION: Brothers and sisters, God is omnipresent. There is no limit at all to his presence, but he is everywhere — this we know. But here God promised to be with Jacob and with his offspring in a special way, to sustain them and to bless them while in Egypt. This is what he meant when he said, “I myself will go down with you to Egypt…” Cleary this is language that is proper to humans being applied to God. Truly, God cannot “go” anywhere, for he is everywhere present, fully and perfectly so. But we understand what is meant by the phrase. God condescended to Jacob’s capacity, he used human language, and communicated to him in a most tender way, saying, I will personally be with with you on this journey to bless you and to sustain you. And this is the greatest of all blessings — God’s loving presence. Truly, it is God’s loving presence which will make heaven, heavenly, and it is the lack it which will make hell such a miserable place. Truly, it is God’s loving presence with his people that enables them to thrive and rejoice even in the most trying of circumstances. Friends, if we have God, then we have all that we need. I want for you to see that Jacob learned this from experience. His faith grew while in Haran as he saw God fulfill his promise to be with him in that place. And now in his old age he knows that it is true when God says, “I myself will go down with you to Egypt…” I wonder, Christian, have you learned this? Have you learned that the greatest of all blessings is God’s presence? And have you come to truly believe God when he says to you who are in Christ Jesus, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5, ESV)?]

God spoke to Jacob, saying, “I myself will go down with you to Egypt…”, and then he said, “I will also bring you up again.” Clearly, this promise was in reference, not primarily to Jacob as an individual, but to his descendents and to the nation that would come from him.” Jacob (as Israel) would go down into Egypt. And God would being Jacob (as Israel) back up again through the exodus. 

This promise, though primarily about the nation of Israel, pertained also to Jacob in the sense that he would be buried in Canaan, and he will also enjoy Canaan in the resurrection. 

And then lastly we have this remark, which was clearly for Jacob the individual: “Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.” We are to remember what Jacob said when he was told that his son was dead those many years before. “All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted and said, ‘No, I shall go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.’ Thus his father wept for him” (Genesis 37:35, ESV). Now he hears that he will die a peaceful death, and “Joseph’s hand [will] close [his] eyes.” 

[APPLICATION: This vision and the words of God delivered to Jacob therein must have men a great help and comfort to him. It must have also been very comforting to his children nd grandchildren as they too prepared to go down into Egypt. 

These were perplexing times for Israel and his family. The famine was severe. It threatened their very lives, and in so doing, it threatened the fulfillment of the promises of God that were given to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They must have agonized over the question of what to do as they stood perplexed.

But when God gave his word to them — when God spoke — it was like a ray of light cutting through the darkness. Israel could then go forward with confidence, for something of God’s plans and purposes had been revealed to them. They could then walk in that light. 

I say this to you hoping that you will grow in your appreciation for God’s word. Truly, God’s word  is a “lamp to [our] feet and a light to [our] path”, as Psalm 119:105 says. When God reveals himself to us — when he speaks and discloses to us something of his plans and purposes — it enables us to walk confidently according to that truth. 

I’m sure that you have all had the experience of walking in an unfamiliar place in total darkness. It’s unnerving. Every step is unsure. But when we walk in the light — even if the place is unfamiliar — we walk in a resolute way and with confidence.

Friends, God has spoken. He has given us his word. “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…” (Hebrews 1:1–2, ESV). We are wise to listen to God’s word, and to walk in the light of it. 

I understand that God has not revealed to us everything we might like to know concerning his plans and purposes, but he has revealed enough so that we might confidently walk by faith. In other words, though many things pertaining to the plans and purposes of God remain a mystery to us, he has not left us in the dark entirely. He has reveled to us what it is that he is doing in the world, generally speaking, so that we might order our lives and plan our steps according to truth.

In this narrative you can almost hear Jacob thinking to himself, “God, why this famine? Why was Joseph taken from me for all those years? Why must we leave this land of promise and go down into Egypt?, etc. And what did God do for Jacob? He revealed something of his plans and purposes so that Jacob could go with confidence. 

Friends, he has done the same for you and me. We might ask, “Lord, why has this or that thing happened? Why this suffering, etc?” Many things remain mysterious to us. But we have not been left in the dark. We know what God is up to, generally speaking. We understand that he is drawing his elect, growing his kingdom, sanctifying his people, and will, at the right time, bring all things to completion in the new heavens and new earth. We have his word. Let us live according to what he has revealed, and not neglect it.]

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Conclusion

God’s revelation of himself and of his plans and purposes enables us to sojourn confidently in this world by faith. And so it was for Jacob. Verse 5: “Then Jacob set out from Beersheba. The sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons that Pharaoh had sent to carry him. They also took their livestock and their goods, which they had gained in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob and all his offspring with him…” (Genesis 46:5–6, ESV). It is here at this point that we will resume next Sunday, Lord willing. 

Tags: Genesis 46:1-4

Posted in Sermons Genesis 46:1-4
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QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AT HOME OR IN GOSPEL COMMUNITY GROUPS

• In what ways does Joseph’s interaction with his brothers mirror God’s interaction with us in bringing us to salvation? 
• How is the Lord testing  you to deepen your faith and further your sanctification?
• How was Judah a type of the Christ who would descend from him?
• How was Joseph a type of  Christ? Why is it right for us to call Jesus  “brother” (see Hebrews 2:10ff.)?

Tags: Gospel Community Groups

Posted in Study Guides Gospel Community Groups
Comments Off on Discussion Questions For Sermon On Genesis 43 – 45 Posted by Joe

[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.]

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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
Comments Off on Discussion Questions For Sermon On Genesis 42 Posted by Joe

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
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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)

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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 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.   

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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.  

*****

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).

*****

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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