Genesis 47 - 48

 

Genesis 47:1-27 – Trusting God to Provide

Joseph told Pharaoh his family had arrived and was in Goshen.  Pharaoh was a wise, courteous and gracious ruler.  He trusted Joseph and recognized his gifts and honored him for them.  He allowed Joseph’s family to settle in Goshen and gave them the best of the land.  Joseph continued providing food for all of his family.

Joseph introduced his father, Jacob to Pharaoh.  Jacob gave Pharaoh a blessing and thanked him for his kindness.  Pharaoh acknowledged that he was a man of God and both were blessed.  Jacob explained his hard life, but that he had been blessed because the Lord was in his life.

Principle:  Surrendering our lives to God matures our faith and secures our future.

If God has sent you to an unexpected place, how are you blessing someone else?

How do you respond to the challenge to be totally dependant on God?

How grateful are you to be able to serve God?

Do you recognize it is a privilege to serve Him?

The famine was so server that there was still no food in the whole region.  The people ran out of money to buy food from Joseph, but he was wise and continued to feed the people so they did not die.  He devised a plan in 3 stages for relief of the famine:  1st, they paid for food with money; 2nd, when they ran out of money they paid for food with their livestock; 3rd, when they ran out of livestock they paid with their land and with themselves making themselves slaves to Pharaoh.  The people could still grow their crops, but they were to give Pharaoh a 5th of the produce.

These strict measures may seem unfair, but the Bible doesn’t approve or criticize Joseph.  Joseph was honest and gained nothing for himself.  He did what was best for all the people.  It taught them to cooperate, work hard, and appreciate and value what they had.  It taught them to appreciate God and how He had provided for them. 

The Israelites prospered and multiplied.  The Egyptians surrendered their land, while the Israelites acquired property.  This reinforced God’s earlier promise to Abraham.  God promised Abraham’s descendant would become a great nation and be blessed as they became a blessing to the world. 

Do you plan wisely for the good of others?

Do you ask God for help? 

Principle:  God is the ultimate source of every blessing.

Genesis 47:28-48:22 – Trusting God as Shepherd 

Jacob (Israel) lived for 17 years in Egypt.  He was 147 when he died.  Before he died, he asked Joseph, before God, to not bury him in Egypt, but to bury him in Canaan with Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah and Leah.  This was the country that God had promised to him and his descendants.  “‘Swear to me,’ he said.  Then Joseph swore to him, and Israel worshiped as he leaned on the top op of his staff.” – Gen. 46:31.  This is a visual of standing on the promises of God.

Jacob had been a liar, self-reliant, careless, and worried about his own reputation most of his life, but he did not end his life that way.  When Jacob was very ill and ready to die, he spoke words of encouragement from his deathbed.  “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and there he blessed me and said to me, ‘I am going to make you fruitful and will increase your numbers.  I will make you a community of peoples, and I will give this as an everlasting possession to your descendants after you.’” – Gen. 48:3-4.  He took time to remind Joseph about God and His promises, the same promises given to Abraham and Isaac. 

Joseph brought his sons, Manasseh and Ephraim to his father for his blessings before Jacob died.  Jacob declared Joseph’s sons to be his own.  He gave them a special blessing.  He put his right hand on the youngest, Ephraim and gave him the greatest blessing instead of giving it to the older Manasseh.  He gave Ephraim the blessing of the firstborn.  This was God’s choice and Joseph accepted it because it was God’s will.  God is sovereign and He can do what He wishes. 

Jacob then repeated God’s promise to Joseph.  He told him that God would be with him and would take him back to the Promised Land. – Gen. 48:21.  

Joseph is the one most like Jesus in the entire Bible.  His life illustrated the future life and work of Jesus.  Here are a few ways Joseph was like Jesus:

both were shepherds

both loved by their father, but hated and rejected by their brothers

both had a prophesy of their coming glory

both endured unjust punishment

both were sold for money and handed over to Gentiles

both were thought dead but raised out of the pit

both went to Egypt

both were made servants

both falsely accused, but made no defense

both put in prison and endured unjust punishment from Gentiles

both associated with 2 criminals – 1 was pardoned and 1 was not

both showed compassion and brought a message of deliverance in prison

both showed to have divine wisdom and were recognized as having the Spirit of God

both betrayed by friends

both glorified after his humility and honored among Gentiles

both were 30 years old when his life work began

both blessed the world with bread and became the only source of bread for the world

the world was instructed to go to both of them

both were given the name “God speaks and He lives”

both in their 2^nd appearing didn’t go to the brothers; they came to him

both were not recognized by brothers

both blessed brothers without their knowledge

both wanted all to come to him

both gave a way of deliverance

both prepared a place for brothers

both brought Jew and Gentile together

Why the right hand?  The right hand is associated with God’s strength (Ex. 15:6, God’s favor (Ps. 16:11), God’s help (Ps. 20:6), God’s authority and sovereignty (Is. 41:13, Rev. 5:1, 7, 10:2).  Jesus is described as sitting at the right hand of God the Father.  We see in Matt. 25:32-33 the separating the sheep from the goats at the judgment.  The shepherd will put the sheep on the right and the goats on the left.  To be on the right hand is a special place of honor.

When you die, will you be known as a person who relied on God?

What would others say about your character?

Do you bless your children and grandchildren?

Do you share the promises of God with them?

It is important for parents, especially fathers and grandfathers to bless their children.  Many children never hear encouraging words from them.  Every child needs to be touched and verbally affirmed by his father and grandfather.  Instead, a lot of times they are criticized, rejected and reminded of their weaknesses and failings.  We must bless our children and tell them of God’s amazing salvation and grace.  Jacob hugged and kissed is grandsons.  That’s what fathers and grandfathers today should do.

How is God asking you to surrender to His plan that you don’t understand?  Peace and blessing come through surrender.

How can you share what God means to you?

Principle: With God as our Shepherd we will have peace and blessing beyond our understanding.

Jacob ended his life full of thankfulness to God and of God’s underserved goodness to him.  His words reveal his faith in God and in His promises.  This shows us that we must pray for guidance before making decisions; God guidance is different for each person; God always fulfills His Word.

Join me here next week for the last lessons in the book of Genesis.  -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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Genesis 45 - 46

Genesis 45 – Reconciliation

Joseph had tested the hearts of his brothers to see if there had been any inward change.  They passed the tests and he could no longer continue to hide his identity and control his emotions.  He realized his brothers had real repentance and he had to reveal himself to them.  “I am Joseph!  Is my father still living?  But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.  Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Come close to me.  When they had done so, he said, ‘I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!  And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.  For two years now there has been famine in the land and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping.  But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.  So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.  He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.  Now hurry back to my father and say to him, This is what your son Joseph says:  God has made me lord of all Egypt.  Come down to me; don’t delay” – Gen. 45:3-9. 

Joseph credits God 4 times with having brought him to Egypt. 

“…God sent me ahead of you” – Gen. 45:5

“God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives” – Gen. 45:7

“So it was not you who sent me here, but God.” – Gen. 45:8

“God has made me lord of all Egypt.” – Gen. 45:9

How consistently do you give God all the glory for your success?

When they heard this was Joseph, they were terrified and probably expecting prison or even death, instead they heard of God’s sovereign plan to protect them.  If God had not placed Joseph in charge of the food in Egypt, the people of Israel would die in the famine.  Joseph told them to go home, take Benjamin, tell their father the whole story and bring him back with them.  He threw his arms around them.   They kissed, wept with joy, and talked.  Can you imagine what all they talked about?  What a joyful time they must have had.

Sin separates us from God.  Apart from Jesus Christ we face condemnation.  Joseph called his brothers to come close to him.  God calls us to come close to Him and be reconciled.

Joseph gave them a tough love, but God was with Joseph and clothe him in holy love.  God hates sin, but loves the sinner.  Joseph wanted them to recognize their sins and repent and that’s what God wants for us.  Joseph teaches us what real love is.  Real love is not self-centered, but a redemptive love.

Joseph wept so loudly that it was heard by the whole palace.  When Pharaoh heard the news that Joseph’s brothers had come, he and all his officials were pleased.  Pharaoh told Joseph that they should return with their father and he would give them the best land in Egypt.  Joseph gave them new clothes and provisions for their journey.  He gave Benjamin 3 hundred shekels of silver and 5 sets of clothing.  He sent his father donkeys, grain, bread and other provisions.

When the brothers returned home, they told Jacob all that had happened and that Joseph was alive.  Jacob was revived.  He said he would go and see Joseph before he died.

Principle:  God invites repentant sinners to come close to Him for eternal abundant life.

What can you do to show love and forgiveness to someone in your family?

Are you willing to trust God’s when your life seems to be going in the wrong direction?

Joseph’s humiliation is compared with Jesus:

Joseph – sold for money, accused falsely, betrayed, suffered, felt shame, rejected by his own, was a servant, humble, loving, compassionate, unselfish, obedient to God, gave God the credit, he was put in a high place, every knee bowed to him.

Christ – sold for money, accused falsely, betrayed, suffered, felt shame, made Himself nothing, had the nature of a servant, humble, loving, compassionate, unselfish, obedient to God, had the title of Savior, gave God the credit, God exalted Him to the highest place, every knee will bow to Him.

Genesis 46 – Trusting God to Go

Jacob and all his family left Canaan to go Egypt.  He stopped along the way at Beersheba to worship God.  He wasn’t really sure what God wanted him to do, but was confident he would hear from God.  He faced a major decision to move his family out of Canaan, the land promised by God.  He wanted to see his son, Joseph, but wasn’t sure it was wise to leave.  In Genesis 26 God told his father Isaac not to go to Egypt so Jacob needed to know what to do.  What would you do?  Jacob prayed.  He sought God’s guidance.  God told him not to be afraid, but to go and He would be with him, but that He would bring him back to the Promise Land.

What do you do when faced with a decision? 

Do you ask others what they would do?

Do you read books to find the answer?

Do you pray first to God for guidance?

How do you know God’s will?  It begins with worship.  When you are worshipping, you are focused on God and are open to Him and his guidance.

God gave 4 prophecies to Jacob in Genesis 46:1-4:

I will make you a great nation.  I will be with you in Egypt.  I will bring you back again.  Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.  All these promises were fulfilled.  See Exodus 1-12.

Jacob and his family needed to go to Egypt so his people would be preserved and not starve to death during the famine.  Jacob took his entire family – 66 in all.  Counting Joseph and his sons there were 70 in Jacob’s family.  The number 70 is like the number 7, symbolizing perfection.   All the names of Jacob’s family are listed in this chapter.  Why do you think it was necessary to list these names?  This is a list of every tribe which would later become the nation of Israel.  They are also listed, because God wants us to know that each one of us is important and special. 

God records the names of people today.  All of the names of the church are written in heaven in the book of life. (Luke 10:20, Rev. 20:12-15).  It includes anyone who has accepted Jesus as Savior.  Are you sure your name is listed?  There is no reason not to be sure.

Principle:  God works through our individual obedience to grow and strengthen the body of Christ. 

After 22 years Joseph and Jacob met.  When Joseph saw his father he threw his arms around him and wept for a long time.  Imagine the emotions of their hearts.  

God had a plan and a place for His people.  Through Joseph He prepared a place for them in Goshen.  Since they were shepherds, Goshen had the most fertile land for their sheep to graze.  It was also on the border of Egypt separating the Egyptians from the Hebrews.  The Hebrews needed to be isolated, because Egyptians considered sheep unclean and hated shepherds. 

There are many lessons for us from the study of the life of Joseph.  Here are just a few:

God tests us.

God rescues us.

God works in our lives to restore individuals.

God is always sovereign even if it seems He has forgotten you.

God is never unfaithful.

God’s promises are true in His timing, not ours.

We are not responsible of others’ behavior.

We are responsible for our own behavior and attitudes

God’s grace is sufficient.

When others wrong us, we should not hold a grudge. 

God will do the judging.

It’s never too late to change when we have made wrong decisions.

God will always forgive us, if we repent.

God hates sin, but loves the sinner.

Always give the glory to God.

Forgiveness brings reconciliation.

Real love is not self-centered.

Man’s problems are really love problems. (Example: Potiphar’s wife trying to satisfy her desire for love by satisfying her lust.

Joseph is being like Jesus is to us.  Jesus tests us as Joseph tested his brothers.  Based on what we do in this life, Jesus will reward us.

Joseph prepared a place for his people and Jesus has gone to heaven to prepare a place for us.

Join me here next week for the next chapter in Genesis.  -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus. 

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Genesis 43 - 44

 

Genesis 43 – Another Trip

The food finally ran out and Jacob’s family needed to go back to Egypt for more.  Judah persuaded Jacob to let Benjamin go back to Egypt with him and that he would be responsible for his safety.  Jacob feared he wouldn’t see his Benjamin again, but agreed.  He recognized that only God would protect them.  He said, “If I am bereaved, I a bereaved.” – Gen. 43:14.  Sometimes we need to let go of control and trust God.  That’s what Jacob did. He surrendered to God’s will.  He sent his 11 sons back to Egypt.  Jacob sent gifts and doubled the money. 

When the brothers arrived, they told Joseph’s steward about the silver found in their bags and made it clear they wanted to return it.  The steward assured them they weren’t accused of stealing and that God had given it to them and they shouldn’t be afraid.  Then Simeon was brought out to them.  The brothers were taken into Joseph’s house and given water to wash their feet and fodder for their donkeys.

The brothers received blessings of love and kindness from Joseph without really knowing who he was.  God gives us love and blessings even when we don’t recognize from who our blessings come.

When Joseph returned to his residence, they presented him with gifts and bowed before him, once again fulfilling Joseph’s dreams as a youth.  He began to ask questions about his father and his emotions grew.  Then when Joseph saw Benjamin, he was deeply moved and left the room to weep in private.  When he returned, he ordered a celebration with a feast.  Joseph still didn’t tell them who he was.  He wanted to test them further.  In the past they had been jealous and cruel.  Joseph needed to know if their attitudes had changed.

There is joy and celebration in heaven when someone receives Christ as their Savior.  There is also a celebration when someone falls away from the Lord and then returns.  Maybe you have left him, but He has never left you.  All you have to do is come back to the Father and ask His forgiveness.

The brothers were seated at the table in order of their age.  The brothers were astonished as to how Joseph could have known their ages.  Joseph ate by himself, because Egyptians weren’t allowed to eat with Hebrews.  I am sure Joseph listened and observed his brothers as they ate.  Benjamin’s portion was five greater than the others.  This was probably another test to see if the brothers would be jealous of Benjamin.

Principle:  When things seem to be against you, trust in the God who is for you.

Joseph is a picture of Jesus.  Jesus wants to eat with us and He wants a close relationship with us.  “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” – Rev. 3:20.

Genesis 44 – Another Test

Before his brothers left for home Joseph gave them a final test.  He instructed the steward to put his silver cup in Benjamin’s sack.  With this test Joseph gave his brothers the opportunity to make Benjamin a slave.  Maybe they were now jealous of Benjamin.  This would tell Joseph if they had truly changed. 

The next day they left, but hadn’t gone far when Joseph’s steward was instruction to go after them and accuse them of theft of his cup.  Of course it was found in Benjamin’s sack.  Judah told Joseph that they are his slaves and that God had caught them.  He was referring to their sin committed against Joseph as a youth knowing they would have to pay.  Joseph pretended he didn’t know what they are talking about and let them go except for Benjamin.

Judah pleaded for Benjamin’s life and told Joseph the whole story of what they had done years ago.  Judah showed love and concern for the grief it would cause his father if he lost Benjamin.  He laid his heart before Joseph.  He volunteered to take Benjamin’s place and serve as a slave in Egypt.  What an amazing change!  He showed great humility and real repentance.

Principle:  God uses daily life challenges to test our character and turn our focus to Him. 

Do you have regrets?

Is there some sin you need to repent?

What do your daily challenges reveal about you?

Is there someone you need to forgive?

Are you tempted to be bitter and seek revenge?

You may think you have already forgiven them, but have you truly?

Will you be able the repay the evil with good?  That is the true forgiveness.

Can others see evidence of God’s work in your life?

When has God used a fearful time in your life to accomplish His purpose?

Is there a difficulty in your life that requires you to give God control?

 Join me here next week for the next chapter in Genesis.  -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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