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“The Father Who Blesses” Genesis 48

“Wilderness” The Life of Joseph

Sermon Series

Genesis 48

“The Father Who Blesses”

Introduction

Seventeen years has passed since Jacob and Joseph’s brothers have settled in Goshen, Egypt. Joseph has returned to his duties as “second only to pharaoh,” but has left word to send for him if his father’s health changes. It was custom among the Hebrew people that before death, the patriarch would give a blessing to his children.

In Hebrews 11, what is often called the Faith Hall of Fame, the great leaders of God’s people are remembered, and they are introduced with the phrase, “by faith . . .” Hebrews 11:21 “By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff.” What is it, that makes the blessing of Joseph’s sons an act of faith? “Jacob, being near to death, knew that he could not see the promise fulfilled. In faith he saw that Ephraim and Manasseh would not remain in Egypt but, departing with the Israelites, would be the founders of two tribes in Canaan.”[1] God’s people were about to enter into 400 years of slavery; Jacob gives them a true vision for a positive future. The tribes would return, Canaan would be a land promised to the tribes.

Prayer

Remembering the Promise of God (vv. 1-7).

After this, Joseph was told, “Behold, your father is ill.” So he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. 2 And it was told to Jacob, “Your son Joseph has come to you.” Then Israel summoned his strength and sat up in bed. 3 And Jacob said to Joseph,

“God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, 4 and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make of you a company of peoples and will give this land to your offspring after you for an everlasting possession.’

5 And now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, as Reuben and Simeon are. 6 And the children that you fathered after them shall be yours. They shall be called by the name of their brothers in their inheritance. 7 As for me, when I came from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died in the land of Canaan on the way, when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath, and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).”

“As in the earlier patriarchal narratives, the blessing of the father is passed along to the next generation . . . The blessing was a gift bestowed to those who could not claim it as a right.”[2] It’s the gift of a future. “The blessing” is one generation passing on a positive future to the next generation.

Jacob’s remarks to his son and grandsons, as part of the blessing that is to come, begins with saying, “God Almighty,” The blessing upon your children for generations to come is the story of how God has worked in your life. “He wished his sons to have, as their last memory of him, the scene in which he gave God all the credit, all the glory. This would enable them to stand firm in the days of slavery and the furnace of judgment.”[3]

(v. 3) Jacob recounts the event of when God appeared to Him earlier in his life, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, 4 and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you,” God had made him a promise, and now Jacob is showing how God has now brought that promise to be. Just as Joseph’s dream came true, God in Jacob’s life will ultimately bring about all that he has promised. The blessing is a promise that will be fulfilled.

In his entire life there are two events that he brings up at this time of blessing – these would be what he wanted them to remember and know about him – 1) his vision at Bethel where God blessed him, and 2) the death of his beloved Rachel. These were the two things that made him what he was; the two influences that shaped his entire life (his relationship with God, and his wife).[4] When it’s time to die, these two stand out – faith and love.

(v. 5) Jacob says, “Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine.” – Joseph’s sons are taken into Jacob’s family and treated as his own. They, along with the other brothers, would inherit the promise of Abraham. Later, Ephraim and Manasseh would become very important tribes of Israel.

What is the promise of Abraham? Genesis 15:5-6 “And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

Genesis 17:7 “And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.”

Galatians 3:29 “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” Abraham is linked to Isaac, who is linked to Jacob, who is linked to Joseph, etc… and those who by faith believe in Jesus Christ will inherit eternal life – they will receive the promise of eternal life.

Characteristics of A Blessing (vv. 8-22)

The Blessing of Physical Touch and Affection (vv. 8-14)

8 When Israel saw Joseph’s sons, he said, “Who are these?” 9 Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me here.” And he said, “Bring them to me, please, that I may bless them.” 10 Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. So Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them. 11 And Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face; and behold, God has let me see your offspring also.” 12 Then Joseph removed them from his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth. 13 And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near him. 14 And Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, crossing his hands (for Manasseh was the firstborn).

Jacob is 147 years old and his eye sight is gone, so Joseph brings his two sons close. Then Jacob kissed them, embraced them, then he placed his hands on their heads. All of this involves physical tough.

“In 1989 Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu was overthrown, and the world discovered that 170,000 children were being raised in Romania’s impoverished institutions. As the children’s plight became public, Fox, Nelson and Zeanah realized they had a unique opportunity to study the effects of early institutionalization.

The trio launched their project in 2000 and began by assessing 136 children who had been living in Bucharest’s institutions from birth. Then they randomly assigned half of the children to move into Romanian foster families, whom the researchers recruited and assisted financially. The other half remained in care as usual. The children ranged in age from 6 months to nearly 3 years, with an average age of 22 months.[5]

Over the subsequent months and years, the researchers returned to assess the development of the children in both settings. They also evaluated a control group of local children who had never lived in an institution.”[6] While Jacob’s embrace and kiss were ceremonial, they are a profound example to those wanting to bless the lives of those they love – physical touch and affection actually affects the person to the very wiring of their brain.

The Blessing of the Words of a Faithful Father

15 And he blessed Joseph and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day,[7] 16 the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys; and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”

Jacob blesses Joseph his son, by in turn blessing his sons. The two sons who are being blessed are linked to the previous generations of men who walked with God in faith, “Abraham and Isaac (and now Jacob and Joseph).”

“let my name be carried on,” – Jacob identifies Joseph’s two sons as his own. They would receive the same inheritance Joseph and his brothers. He is saying, “you belong to me; you are one of us.” The boys never knew Canaan, they lived their entire lives in the palace in Egypt.

Genesis 43:17 “They served him (Joseph) 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.”[8] Genesis 46:33 “When Pharaoh calls you and says, ‘What is your occupation?’ 34 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.” There are two cultures clashing here – one of faith, and one of the world; Jacob as grandfather is saying to his grandsons, “We are the people of the one true God, and you are one of us.”

“let them grow into a multitude . . .” Words of affirmation are powerful. “The Pygmalion effect describes situations where someone’s high expectations improves our behavior and therefore our performance in a given area. It suggests that we do better when more is expected of us.”[9]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTghEXKNj7g&t=201s “The kids were smarter when they were expected to be smarter by their teachers.” (1:48 to 3:28)

Bruce Wilkerson in his book, The Seven Laws of a Learner gives a helpful template that someone wishing to speak positive words to a young person can use. He uses this formula in the context of helping a child grow in an area you want them to blossom in:

Examine the person you want to blossom – watch for opportunities to speak to them about a behavior you wish to continue.
Expose what the person did. “You just did _________.” You describe what you saw them do. (past)
Describe your Emotion about what the person did. “That makes me feel __________.” You tell them how you feel about what they did. (present)
Tell the person what you Expect of him in the future. “I believe you are becoming _________.” (future) “The real issue isn’t sharing your dream but finding his dreams!”
Endear yourself to the person through appropriate touch.[10]

The Blessing is Not Based on Birth Order (vv. 17-20)

17 When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him, and he took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. 18 And Joseph said to his father, “Not this way, my father; since this one is the firstborn, put your right hand on his head.” 19 But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great. Nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.” 20 So he blessed them that day, saying, “By you Israel will pronounce blessings, saying, ‘God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh.’” Thus he put Ephraim before Manasseh.

“Cain was older than Abel, but Abel’s sacrifice was preferred. Ismael was Abraham’s first-born son, but the voice of God said to Abraham, “through Isaac shall your offspring be named (21:12).” Esau was older of Isaac’s twin sons, but Jacob, not to Esau, was the promise given. In every instance, as men looked back, it appeared to them that the unseen Hand had been at work.”[11]

“Over and over in these narratives, the answer to the question “who receives the blessing,” has been the same. Receiving the blessing that God offers does not rest on one’s natural status in the world. On the contrary, the blessing is based solely on God’s grace.”[12] Who receives the blessing, is not the person who is supposed to receive it, according to the world.

The Blessing Involved Remembering God’s Presence (vv. 21-22)

21 Then Israel said to Joseph, “Behold, I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you again to the land of your fathers. 22 Moreover, I have given to you rather than to your brothers one mountain slope that I took from the hand of the Amorites with my sword and with my bow.”

“In Genesis 28, after Jacob had been forced to leave home because of Esau, God appeared to him at Bethel and said, “I am with you” (v. 15). In chapter 31, where God appeared to Jacob to send him back to his own land from Haran, God said, “I will be with you (v. 3)” Two verses later, where Jacob is reflecting back over his experiences of God’s blessing at Haran, he says, “God . . . has been with me (v. 5).” He says the same thing in chapter 35: “God . . . has been with me wherever I have gone” (v.3).”[13] And here in chapter 48, on his deathbed Jacob takes these same truths and shares them with his son and grandsons.

There were times in Jacob’s life when he felt all alone, and it was God who was there to comfort him. “I am with you.” He know the generation needs to hear this, and to know from the experience of the previous generation that God keeps his promises, that God is with us. When Jacob was a trickster and deceiver – God was with him. When he rededicated his life in the wilderness God was with him. When he turned back to his old ways again, transitioning from numb heart to revitalized heart – God was with him. God’s presence was not dependent upon Jacob – God made a promise and He keeps His promises.

Every generation has to learn what it means to have faith and to trust God. The blessing we give to our children is to testify to them of the Lord’s faithfulness, grace, and mercy.

Also, the blessing of the next generation is so important because the people would have asked, “what are we to do, Abraham is dead?” “if Abraham dies, there is Isaac; and if Isaac dies, there is Jacob; and if Jacob dies, there is Joseph; and if Joseph dies, Ephraim and Manaseh survive. God is with us. He will always raise up champions for the next generation – let us invest in them, let us bless them.

How do we know that God is with us? As Jacob went through ups and downs, times of being faithful, and times when he went back to being “the deceiver,” there would have been times when he may have thought that God was with him no longer. But throughout his life, God kept coming back to him saying “I am with you.” If you are in a season of asking this same question, then look to the promises of God (who is forever faithful). Dueteronomy 31:8 says, “It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Take him at His word. We don’t base our faith on our feelings (as in it doesn’t feel like God is with me), but ours is a trust based on faith – taking Him at His word.

____________________________

[1] H. Orton Wiley, The Epistle to the Hebrews (Kansas City, Missouri; Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, 1984) 328.

[2] John H. Sailhamer, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 2 (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Zondervan Publishing, 1990) 269.

[3] James Montgomery Boice, Genesis, An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Zondervan Publishing, 1987) 248.

[4] George Arthur Buttrick, General Editor, The Interpreter’s Bible, Volume 1 (Nashville, Tennessee; Abingdon Press, 1952) 814.

[5] Suggested reading for further study on the development of a child’s brain; Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson, The Whole-Brain Child (New York, New York; Bantam Books) 2012.

[6] https://www.apa.org/monitor/2014/06/neglect

[7] This is the first time that the image of God as a shepherd is mentioned (Boice, 257).

[8] Even though shepherds were considered an abomination to the Egyptians, Joseph had such an impact on their country that Jacob (his father) was able to bless the pharaoh, “And Jacob blessed Pharaoh . . .” Genesis 47:10.

[9] https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/the-pygmalion-effect

[10] Bruce Wilkerson, The Seven Laws of the Learner (Sisters, Oregon; Multnomah Publishing, 1992) 110.

[11] Buttrick, 815.

[12] Sailhamer, 272.

[13] Boice, 263.

Genesis 45 “I am Joseph!”

Drew Boswell Ministries

Genesis 45 “I am Joseph!”

00:00 / 00:47:19

“I am Joseph!” Genesis 45

“Wilderness” The Life of Joseph

Sermon Series

Genesis 45

“I am Joseph!”

Introduction

Prayer

There is a Good Plan Before You (vv. 1-8)

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. 2 And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. 3 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. 4 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. 5 And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6 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. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors.[1] 8 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.”

“But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence.” – This whole drama started with needing to go to Egypt to get food, for there was a famine – and they all sat around and looked at each other (in guilt). Then through a series of events they cried out, “In truth we are guilty” (Genesis 42:21). They have repented of their sin against Joseph “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 44:34). But now everything, all of it is brought to the surface, Joseph has all the power over them, and they are terrified.

This is the same realization of a person who has come to the true understanding that he has offended an all-powerful, holy God. They are without excuse, and completely without hope. All that anger of being sold into slavery, having lived in prison, mistreated and falsely accused, for over twenty years – now can, having absolute power to have his vengeance upon them – and they would deserve it, they “could not answer him, for they were dismayed.”

The great preacher of old, Jonathan Edwards once said, “Thus all you that never passed under a great change of heart, by the mighty power of the Spirit of God upon your souls; all you that were never born again, and made new creatures, and raised from being dead in sin, to a state of new, and before altogether unexperienced light and life, are in the hands of an angry God.”[2]

Does the hammer fall? Does Joseph have his revenge? No. Grace abounds. During the building of the Golden Gate Bridge over San Francisco Bay, construction fell badly behind schedule because several workers had accidentally fallen from the scaffolding to their deaths. Engineers and administrators could find no solution to the costly delays. Finally, someone suggested a gigantic net be hung under the bridge to catch any who fell. Finally in spite of the enormous cost, the engineers opted for the net. After it was installed, progress was hardly interrupted. A worker or two fell into the net but were saved. Ultimately, all the time lost to fear was regained by replacing fear with faith in the net.[3]

(v. 5) “for God sent me before you to preserve life” and (v. 7) “7 And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth” and (v. 8) “So it was not you who sent me here, but God.” “Joseph’s words pull back the narrative veil and allow the reader to see what has been going on behind the scenes. It was not the brothers who sent Joseph to Egypt, rather it was God. And God had a purpose for it all.”[4]

God took these men through a lengthy gut-wrenching journey so that they would repent of their sin and turn to God, and it is through these brothers (the sons of Israel) that the world would be turned upside down with the gospel. They would be redeemed, and so would the world. These lying, deceitful, hateful, wicked men would give their lives to God and through them millions would be saved.

(v. 5) “do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here” – Don’t focus on the past, or how you once were lost. Now is the time to focus on preserving other people’s life. They are the beginning of a long story of redemption. Moses is coming, and Joshua, and the tabernacle, and the ark of the covenant, Samuel, and King David, and Esther, and Ruth, Nehemiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel – the story of redemption is coming.

And there will be a voice crying out in the wilderness, a man named John who will point us to Him, the promised one who will save the world from their sin by dying on a Roman cross – Jesus. The story of redemption is coming! Then the disciples and Paul, and the church spreads out. Today the story continues with you! And one day Jesus will come, with a shout, and we will meet him in the air. Eternity will begin and our redemption will be complete. Today, the story is not complete, there is one more who needs to hear your story of redemption and she needs to hear it from you. Have you ever asked, “why am I here?” There are two answers, 1) you need to hear the story or 2) you need to tell the story.

A Renewed Picture of a Promised Land (vv. 9-20)

9 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. 10 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. 11 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.’ 12 And now your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see, that it is my mouth that speaks to you. 13 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.” 14 Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept upon his neck. 15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them. After that his brothers talked with him. 16 When the report was heard in Pharaoh’s house, “Joseph’s brothers have come,” it pleased Pharaoh and his servants. 17 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: load your beasts and go back to the land of Canaan, 18 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.’ 19 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. 20 Have no concern for your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.’”

The book of Genesis begins with everything being good, 1:31 “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” And now (at the end of “the Beginnings”) everything is made right again, where there was destruction and famine, now God’s people would live in Goshen, a special place where they would be safe and be provided for. “The picture of Joseph is a picture of restoration – this was a restoration of the blessing that was promised through the offspring of Jacob.”[5]

After the fall of Adam and Eve we see a promise. Genesis 3:15 “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” There is a promise of one who will come to defeat sin and death and restore all things to the way God created them to be.

(v. 10) “You shall dwell in the land of Goshen” – This was a land set aside for Joseph’s family. Genesis 47:11 “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.”

It is in this area that the tribe of Israel will grow into a nation of people. Later, it was there that God showed grace to His people once again, “Only in the land of Goshen, where the people of Israel were, was there no hail” (Exodus 8:22, 9:26). This is a picture of the Garden of Eden, Adam having to leave because of sin, now there is restoration and at the end of “the beginnings,” now a return back to a land of safety and provision.

The Numb Heart and the Revived Heart (vv. 21-28)

21 The sons of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the command of Pharaoh, and gave them provisions for the journey. 22 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. 23 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. 24 Then he sent his brothers away, and as they departed, he said to them, “Do not quarrel on the way.” 25 So they went up out of Egypt and came to the land of Canaan to their father Jacob. 26 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. 27 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. 28 And Israel said, “It is enough; Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

(v. 25) we see again, “So they went up out of Egypt and came to the land of Canaan to their father Jacob.” Jacob means “deceiver, trickster” but Israel was his covenant name, the name God gave him when they wrestled in the wilderness. Whenever we see Jacob turning back to a lack of faith, a numb heart, back his old ways he is called Jacob. Look at the transition, “the spirit of their father Jacob 28 And Israel said, . . .” By Genesis chapter 47, Jacob is 137 years old. Jacob had spent his entire adult life (since wrestling with God) being a man of faith, and then a man of doubt – up and down, back and forth.

You may say, “yeah but Jacob had a hard life.” His father favored his brother Esau over him. His uncle Laban treated him harshly, Genesis 31:40 “by day the heat consumed me, and the cold by night, and my sleep fled from my eyes. 41 These twenty years I have been in your house.” He had a dislocated hip. His beloved wife died giving birth to Benjamin, and his son Joseph was killed by wild animals (or so he was told). But look if we were compare Jacob with his son Joseph – Joseph was mistreated and hated by his brothers, sold as a slave, lied about so that he ended up in prison, forgotten. But through all that Joseph endured – he never waivered in his faith.

Throughout the first five books of the Bible (the Pentateuch) at key sections, at major mile markers, in the story of God’s people there is an emphasis on whether they respond in faith, or a lack of faith. Where there is a lack of faith, there is a numb heart. Where there is faith shown, there is a revived heart.

Jacob, his entire life has wanted the blessing of God. As his brother was being born, he grabbed his heal as if to pull him back in to the womb so he would get the blessing. Then He tricked his father to falsely get him to give him the blessing. Then in the wilderness he wrestles with God and demands him for a blessing – His entire life Jacob has perused the blessing of God.

Let’s go back to Genesis 32:32 this is where Jacob wrestles with God. They have wrestled through the night, The man “Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28 Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel,6 for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.”

The man Jacob is wrestling with says, “what is your name?” Jacob has to say his name which means deceiver, trickster “grabber of the heal.” God is saying “You have tried to receive God’s blessing your entire life – your way.” You have tried to steal it, to trick people for it, to wrestle it away.” But God changes his name to Israel which means “God fights.” After a long night of wrestling with God, “And there he blessed him.” Once Jacob quit fighting, trying to do it his way – God fought for Him, and he was finally blessed.

Stop fighting God, and let Him fight for you!

God will let us know His will, we will know Him personally, and our sin will be remembered no more. When you stop fighting God, and let Him fight for you, look what happens: Jeremiah 31:33-34 “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel (those following after Israel who put their faith in God) after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
Our stone, Numb, hard heart is changed.

Ezekiel 36:26 “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” Psalm 51: “Create in me a pure heart, o God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”

_________________________________

[1] Ad astra per aspera “through hardships to the stars.”

[2] To read the entire sermon, https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/edwards_jonathan/Sermons/Sinners.cfm

[3] https://bible.org/illustration/net

[4] John H. Sailhamer, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 2 (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Zondervan Publishing, 1990) 256.

[5] Sailhamer, 257.

Genesis 43:26-34-44:1-34 “The Big Turn; The Brother’s Second Journey to Egypt” (Con’t)

Drew Boswell Ministries

Genesis 43:26-34-44:1-34 “The Big Turn; The Brother’s Second Journey to Egypt” (Con’t)

00:00 / 00:51:01

“Wilderness” The Life of Joseph Sermon Series Genesis 43:26-34-44:1-34 “The Big Turn; The Brother’s Second Journey to Egypt” (Con’t)

“Wilderness” The Life of Joseph Sermon Series

Genesis 43:26-34-44:1-34

“The Big Turn;

The Brother’s Second Journey to Egypt” (Con’t)

Introduction

In The Last Crusade, Indiana Jones must pass three tests to reach the Holy Grail (with the stakes raised as his father, played by Sean Connery dying from a bullet wound and in need of the healing waters from the grail to survive).

The first test, called “the Breath of God” is the one worthy of our focus today. Indiana hasn’t figured out the puzzle, but as he approaches with what could be his last steps, he whispers over and over again the one clue: “Only the Penitent Man Shall Pass.” As the wind (breath) begins to blow through the chamber, Indy has only a few moments to pass the test. At the very moment he needs to figure it out (cue high drama) he gets it. Here’s the actual words from the film:

The penitent man is humble before God. The penitent man… The penitent man is humble. Penitent man is humble… [kneels before God] KNEEL!!

The second he kneels, two massive circular saws emerge from the wall, just missing Indy’s head and his famous fedora. As I said earlier, the theology would not pass muster in any seminary, but it does get one thing right: the journey of faith, even for the hero, begins with repentance.[1]

Prayer

Being Loved and Known (Genesis 43:26-34)

26 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. 27 And he inquired about their welfare and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” 28 They said, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.” And they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves. 29 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!” 30 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. 31 Then he washed his face and came out. And controlling himself he said, “Serve the food.” 32 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. 33 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. 34 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.

What does God do to draw the heart of men to Himself? For the brothers, “he had used a pinch of material want, the pain of harsh treatment, the press of an enforced solitude, the proof of his presence in small things, and last of all, the pattern of an ordained necessity.”[2] At these things, the brothers admitted their sin, at least to one another. In this passage, we see that God adds another step, genuine affection.

Then he invites them to Joseph’s house for a special meal (prepared in the middle of the day). Then they are “given them water, and they had washed their feet, and when he had given their donkeys fodder.” They are invited into the home of the most important man in all of Egypt, for a specially prepared meal. They are shown kindness.

(v. 33) “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.” – The (Egyptian) man had the brothers seated by their birth order (oldest to youngest). But how did they know? “There are no less than 39,917,000 different orders in which eleven individuals could have been seated.”[3] The odds are 40 million to one that the stewards would place the brothers in this orde They don’t know how, but they are known. God knows everything about us, sometimes He reveals that knowledge as a way to draw someone to Him.

Being known by God. Luke 12:6 says “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” God knows all about you; He knows your thoughts, your concerns, your desires, your temptations, your physical ability, everything – but in spite of our sinful and depraved hearts he wants a relationship with us. The story of Joseph and his brothers is a picture of restoration. It is a picture of men who are far from God being drawn to the Lord.

What God wants is a relationship with you – which involves our relating to Him in obedience. God as Creator determines the terms of the relationship. Matthew 7: 23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”

Then there was another test, “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.” Joseph sends portions from his table to the brothers, but Benjamin receives five times more than the rest of the brothers. He had the seat of honor at the table, and he received much more than the others. Joseph is trying to figure out if this special treatment would manifest resentment toward Benjamin. They hated Joseph because of his father’s favoritism and giving him the coat of many colors. It doesn’t seem to bother them, “And they drank and were merry with him.”

Genesis chapters 42 and 43 gives us an example of where God sets things into motion actions that draws the brothers toward him and shows us the love He has for His creation. Romans 5:6-8 “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God again and again shows us, displays to us the love He has for us. These signs of grace should draw us to Him.

Repentance is Required (Genesis 44:1-34)

The Trap is Set (vv. 1-12)

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, 2 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. 3 As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away with their donkeys. 4 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? 5 Is it not from this that my lord drinks, and by this that he practices divination? You have done evil in doing this.’” 6 When he overtook them, he spoke to them these words. 7 They said to him, “Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing! 8 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? 9 Whichever of your servants is found with it shall die, and we also will be my lord’s servants.” 10 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.” 11 Then each man quickly lowered his sack to the ground, and each man opened his sack. 12 And he searched, beginning with the eldest and ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.”

Sorrow Over Guilt (vv. 13-17)

13 Then they tore their clothes, and every man loaded his donkey, and they returned to the city. 14 When Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house, he was still there. They fell before him to the ground. 15 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?” 16 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.” 17 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.”

The brothers did not steal the cup, Joseph had put it there in Benjamin’s sack, but they still say, “God has found out the guilt of your servants.” Why would the brothers confess guilt to something they knew they did not do. They had a guilty conscience.

We see here with the brothers, men who were full of hatred, violence, and deception are capable of repentance. No one is too far gone, no one has done any actions for which God is not ready to forgive him, “and cleanse him from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)” But he has to repent of his sin.

Repentance is defined as, to be filled with remorse, as it leads to a change of mind, specifically dealing with sin.[4] Joseph knows the brothers have sorrow over how they treated him, but is it a godly sorrow or a worldly sorrow. Let’s look at the difference.

Godly Sorrow v. Worldly Sorrow

On the night before the Cross, one of Jesus’ disciples betrayed Him, and one denied Him. All sins are acts of selfishness and are grievous offenses to a holy God. Both of these sins were against the person of Jesus Himself. The Bible records how Judas and Peter responded later. Judas “repented himself” (Matthew 27:3), and the very word that Matthew used (metamelomai) to describe Judas indicates that his regret and remorse were completely self-centered. He was sorrowful, but not even for the plight of Jesus.

He was only sorry for himself. Matthew did not choose the more common word for repentance (metanoeo) used throughout the New Testament that means to change one’s mind and behavior for the better because of hatred for one’s sins.

The Gospels tell us that Peter went out and wept bitterly. The word means to wail in great agony and grief. Was his sorrow godly or worldly? We can only tell from the results. Judas immediately went out and hanged himself (Matthew 27:5). When next we see Peter, he has returned to his brothers. When he heard word of the Resurrection, he ran in search of the Lord against whom he had sinned. Later that same day, Peter was completely restored.

One man’s sorrow led to death. The other’s led to salvation and life. That is the difference between worldly and godly sorrow.[5] 2 Corinthians 7:10 “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.”

Repentance is not just a feeling guilty for bad behavior – It involves three things:

Intellect – “Repentance is that change of a sinner’s mind that leads him or her to turn from evil ways and live. Intellectually, human beings must apprehend sin as utterably heinous, the divine law as perfect and binding, and themselves as falling short of the requirements of a holy God.”[6] If you are genuinely repentant of a sin, they cannot be emotionally indifferent to sin.
Emotions – “It is possible to have a knowledge of sin without abhorring it as something that dishonors God and ruins humanity: the change of view may lead only to a dread of punishment and not to the hatred and abandonment of sin.”[7] True repentance involves not only a conviction of personal sinfulness but an earnest appeal to God to forgive according to His mercy. (Ps. 51:1ff, 10-14).
Will – The original language words for repentance “emphasize the will, the change of mind. Several places in Scripture shows that putting on sackcloth, putting ashes on your body – outward actions to show repentance do you no good if your heart, your will is not changed.

Matthew 5:3-6 helps us to see the process a person goes through from being lost to being saved. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 1) There is consciousness of spiritual poverty dethroning pride, 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 2) A sense of personal unworthiness producing grief, 3) 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 4) A willingness to surrender to God in genuine humility, 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 5) A strong desire developing into spiritual hunger and thirst, are all part of the experience of one who abandons sin and fully turns to God who then gives eternal life.

Throughout this study of Joseph’s brothers we are asking, are they any different than when they sold him into slavery and hated him twenty years before? So yes they have changed, they are genuinely bothered by their sin, and they understand that they are dealing with God as a consequence of that sin – but is the sorrow they are expressing a worldly sorrow or a godly sorry?

In vv. 18-29 Judah gives an overview of everything for “the (Egyptian) man.”

Taking Steps To Stop the Pain (vv. 30-34)

30 “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, 31 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. 32 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.’ 33 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. 34 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.”

Judah said to the (Egyptian) man, “I told my father “‘If I do not bring him back to you, then I shall bear the blame before my father all my life.’ 33 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.

Judah is appealing to “the (Egyptian) man” by stating how a father loves his son, and to be separated from his son would cause so much anguish and sorrow that it would crush him. Judah takes actions pleading to take the place of his brother, so that his father would not die. The same father who doesn’t love him, like he loves Benjamin – he’s ok with that, he doesn’t want to hurt his father any further. He is convicted of his sin.

Judah has seen what his previous sin had caused to his father, he will do anything to not cause that pain again – that is a godly sorrow, he has repented of his sin, his mind is changed, he does not want to do that again. “This is the point in the story at which the brothers are actually born again. Before, this they were unregenerate. From this point on they are transformed individuals.”[8]

Joseph put the cup in Benjamin’s sack to see where the blame would fall. Would the brothers try to save their own worthless skins, or would they stand there and watch Benjamin go off into slavery? Would they tell dad that wild animals had devoured him too? There was not one of them that didn’t wish the cup was in their bag instead of Benjamin’s. They all returned to Egypt. Judah says, “I fear to see the evil that would find my father.” – He intellectually, emotionally, and in his will – doesn’t want to see any harm come to his youngest brother, or his father. This is a powerful change in his heart.

The call to repentance is not a call to just feel the remorse of your sins.

It’s a call to turn around so that God can do something about them. It is an action.

If you are trying to run from God and have pushed away his gracious intervention in your life, you need to know two things:

God will always uncover your iniquity. Usually, he discloses iniquity in this life. But even if He does not do so here, he will certainly do it in the life to come. The Bible says, “Your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). All things hidden will be brought into the light from darkness. There is no way for you to escape except in the scared arms of Jesus.

It is not what you achieve in this life that matters, but what God in righteousness chooses to do through you. Does God have your heart? Repent this morning from your sin, and give Him your life.

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[1] https://thepastorsworkshop.com/sermon-illustrations-2/sermon-illustrations-repentance/

[2] Boice, 150.

[3] Henry M. Morris, The Genesis Record, A Scientific and Devotional Commentary on the Book of Beginnings (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Baker Book House, 1977) 610.

[4] It is an onomatopoetic term that implies difficulty in breathing, hence “pant,” “sigh,” “groan.” Naturally it came to signify “lament” or grieve;” when the emotion was produced by the desire of good for others it merged into compassion and sympathy, and when incited by a consideration of one’s own character and deeds it came to mean “rue,” “repent.”

[5] https://www.purelifeministries.org/blog/recognizing-godly-sorrow-vs-worldly-sorrow#:~:text=He%20writes%3A%20%E2%80%9CGodly%20sorrow%20brings,it%20will%20lead%20to%20real

[6] Geoffrey W. Bromiley, General Editor, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Volume Four, Q-Z (Grand Rapids, Michigan; W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988) 136.

[7] Bromiley, 136.

[8] James Montgomery Boice, Genesis, An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Zondervan Publishing; 1987) 159.