The Practical Redemption Of Man

The Life Of Joseph, Session #10- The Redemption Of A Country

Intro.

- What was Joseph’s life like during the time when His family was being restored to him?

- He was likely unable to take any personal days to handle the family issues that arose.

- What we read from Genesis 47 is a synopsis of what Joseph’s days as Prime Minister in Egypt were like. The famine was severe in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan.

• Genesis 47:14 : “And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, for the grain which they bought; and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house.”

- Joseph’s stewardship had brought a great amount of riches into the house of the Pharaoh.

- Unfortunately for the people, the famine outlasted their cash flow.

• Genesis 47:15-17 : “So when the money failed in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, ‘Give us bread, for why should we die in your presence? For the money has failed.’ Then Joseph said, ‘Give your livestock, and I will give you bread for your livestock, if the money is gone.’ So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for the horses, the flocks, the cattle of the herds, and for the donkeys. Thus he fed them with bread in exchange for all their livestock that year.”

- “The money has failed,” an economic crash of immense proportions, forced the Egyptians to surrender their livestock. However, that was not the lowest point, for the famine continued in severity.

- With both money and livestock gone, and the threat of death very sincerely at the door of the Egyptians, there was little else that could be done.

• Genesis 47:18-20 : “When that year had ended, they came to him the next year and said to him, ‘We will not hide from my lord that our money is gone; my lord also has our herds of livestock. There is nothing left in the sight of my lord but our bodies and our lands. Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants of Pharaoh; give us seed, that we may live and not die, that the land may not be desolate.’ Then Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for every man of the Egyptians sold his field, because the famine was severe upon them. So the land became Pharaoh’s.”

- The riches, the livestock, the land and the people all now belonged to Pharaoh.

• Genesis 47:23 : “Then Joseph said to the people, ‘Indeed I have bought you and your land this day for Pharaoh. Look, here is seed for you, and you shall sow the land.”

- In our day of capitalism and a free money market, this would seem to be a great blow.

- For the part of the citizens of Egypt, they appear incredibly grateful to Joseph, as they quite literally owe him their lives.

• Genesis 47:25 : “So they said, ‘You have saved our lives; let us find favor in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh’s servants.’”

- As we finish out this section, I want us to examine a few final concepts before the season finale next week. They are concepts which lead to act of redemption.

I. The Gifting Of A Man

II. The Desperation Of The World

III. The Salvation Of Our God

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I. The Gifting Of A Man

- Joseph had a gift that was appropriate to this situation. He was the perfect man for the job.

- Imagine if he had a preaching gift, or the gift of tongues. How useless would he have been in this situation.

- This is not to diminish any particular gift from the Holy Spirit, as all of them are of divine origin and are thus useful by Him to bring glory to Himself.

- But Joseph was given the gift of administration.

• I Corinthians 12:4-7 : “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:”

- After a long parenthetical passage regarding the gifts being used in order, Paul speaks of a few more.

• I Corinthians 12:27,28 : “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.”

- The Greek word for “administrations” is a word that can be translated “ruling” implying the wisdom to manage a group of people.

- The point is that Joseph was particularly gifted for this time and that gift was a gift that brought redemption to the Egyptians and to his kin.

- Your gift may be something less glorious than you think, but God wants to put it into use nonetheless. Because the gift comes from Him, it is therefore valuable and useful toward redemption.

- Joseph’s gift was mundane, lacking in any kind of glory. We never see him preach. We never hear that he discipled anyone. And it seems that his influence died with him.

- But during his days, he was useful and used greatly by God, when God chose to magnify the gift of administration through him.

- Are you being faithful with the gift that God has given you? Do you realize that your gift could be useful in bringing about a great harvest from the Lord?

- Some of you might be saying, “Hey, that is the Lord’s part of it! I don’t need to do anything with my gift.”

- Let me answer that by saying two things. First, Joseph did not become Prime Minister of the Year overnight. He practiced his gift in Potiphar’s house, then in prison, and now here in the Palace.

- Second, Paul exhorts Timothy and you and I to practice our gifts.

• II Timothy 1:6,7 : “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

- The word “stir up” comes from the Greek word which means to “rekindle.” It’s a picture of a fire that has been reduced to embers, but that is still hot, needing only to be kindled to be brought back to full force.

- Men, stir up those gifts!

II. The Desperation Of The World

- A second event that we see happening here is the spiral effect of desperation.

- Men, if they are to put confidence in Christ, must first lose confidence in everything else!

- Notice the digression here in these verses.

- First, the money failed. There was not enough money to insulate them from the famine.

- Second, their possessions failed. Livestock, an ancient indicator of wealth, lost it’s value when the famine continued.

- Finally, we see their very homes, the last chance of equity, was lost as well.

- You’ll notice their cry before Joseph in verses 18-20. They are begging for their lives.

- Perhaps months before, they surmised that they might be able to hold out.

- Perhaps the famine would subside and life would get back to normal.

- It did not and they cried out for life.

- The Bible makes no bones about it: Those without Christ are in dire, desperate straits.

• Ephesians 4:17,18 : “This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;”

- Notice the word “alienated.” They are shut out, estranged from the life of God.

- Paul speaking about his ministry to the Gentiles, recounts God’s words to him:

• Acts 26:18 : “‘to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’”

- Alienation, in darkness and Paul says in other places, blind!

- How does God break this? Allowing resources to dry up, famines to encroach upon that which they trust in, so that they might be turned and brought into life.

- And when those resources dry up and the dry times come, who will they go to?

- Often the one gifted by God, trustworthy and willing to administer the life and hope of Christ.

- The Joseph’s who are out in the world, displaying the giftedness of God.

III. The Salvation Of Our God

- Finally, we come to the glorious relief of the tension between these two first concepts.

- Notice again with me:

• Genesis 47:23 : “Then Joseph said to the people, ‘Indeed I have bought you and your land this day for Pharaoh. Look, here is seed for you, and you shall sow the land.”

- One cannot ignore the obvious type that is seen here in this verse. The language cannot be interpreted any other way.

- Joseph literally “bought” them and their land.

- I cannot believe that this is accidental, as the Apostle Peter employs the exact same language in his epistle.

• I Peter 1:17-19 : “And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”

- The word “redeemed” is a synonym for bought, purchased.

- Joseph had bought the people of Egypt, just as Jesus would later and more perfectly purchase us with His own blood being the price that was paid.

- But that alone is not the salvation of the Lord. He has not just saved us to remove guilt and confirm heaven.

- Salvation is our life! It is all that we are! It draws us into fruitful, enjoyable life in and with Christ.

- Notice what Joseph says next: “Look, here is seed for you, and you shall sow the land!”

- Joseph buys them, then brings them into fruitful production.

- He saves their lives, then gives them life with purpose.

- The classic text on salvation encompasses these three concepts in concert.

• Ephesians 2:8-10 : “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

- Look at this: By Grace, for a majority, the grace of being ministered to by one of God’s planted gifts. You have been saved, indicating a sense of total loss and dependance upon a third party to provide deliverance. For good works, fruitful participation in the things of God upon the Earth!

Conclusion

- What a beautiful section of scripture, which to me and hopefully to you, illustrates the balance of how the Lord brings salvation/redemption to the Earth.

- It’s exciting that we can participate and watch Him bring this to pass in front of our eyes.

The Practical Redemption Of Man

The Life Of Joseph, Session #9- The Redemption Of A Man’s Family pt.4

Intro.

- Joseph has revealed himself to his brothers and exhorted them to return home to bring their families back into Egypt. He has promised to provide for them and allow them to live in Egypt.

- Imagine the brothers thinking about their trip home and what they would be forced to say! They were going to tell their Dad everything that had been hidden for 2 decades!

- Suffice it to say, Jacob was in for quite a shock.

• Genesis 45:25-28 : “Then they went up out of Egypt, and came to the land of Canaan to Jacob their father. And they told him, saying, ‘Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt.’ And Jacob’s heart stood still, because he did not believe them. But when they told him all the words which Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived. Then Israel said, ‘It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.’”

- I am not sure how any of us would feel at this moment. Surreal would be a good start.

- Jacob immediately got up and began to make the trek to Egypt, stopping first in Beersheba.

- It’s at Beersheba that Jacob begins to wonder about the promises of God that were reserved for his family in Canaan.

- Canaan was going to be the land that the tribes of Israel were to inherit.

- It’s at Beersheba, a rich place in the history of the Patriarchs, that God speaks to Israel.

• Genesis 46:2-4 : “Then God spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, ‘Jacob, Jacob!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ So He said, ‘I am God, the God of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will put his hand on your eyes.’”

- Jacob came to Egypt and for the first time, Jacob and Joseph see each other face to face.

- After an emotional reunion, Joseph debriefs his family about the culture of the Egyptians.

• Genesis 46:31-34 : “Then Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, ‘I will go up and tell Pharaoh, and say to him, ‘My brothers and those of my father’s house, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me. ‘And the men are shepherds, for their occupation has been to feed livestock; and they have brought their flocks, their herds, and all that they have.’ ‘So it shall be, when Pharaoh calls you and says, ‘What is your occupation?’ that you shall say, ‘Your servants’ occupation has been with livestock from our youth even till now, both we and also our fathers,’ that you may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.’”

- Joseph warned them and yet, in a great “What were you thinking” moment, the brothers still told the Pharaoh that they were shepherds!

- Despite that faux pas, the Pharaoh welcomed them into the land of Egypt and gave them the land of Goshen. It’s at this point that Jacob the Patriarch meets the Pharaoh.

• Genesis 47:7-12 : “Then Joseph brought in his father Jacob and set him before Pharaoh; and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. Pharaoh said to Jacob, ‘How old are you?’ And Jacob said to Pharaoh, ‘The days of the years of my pilgrimage are one hundred and thirty 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 pilgrimage.’ So Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh. And Joseph situated 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. Then Joseph provided his father, his brothers, and all his father’s household with bread, according to the number in their families.”

- I want us to review some thoughts from last week, that tie into this section of scripture.

- You will remember that God was using Joseph to preserve life, a posterity for his family and the presentation of God’s glory to the Pharaoh.

- Now, as we continue to consider the providence of God and the redemption of man, we see what I feel are the focal points of God’s providence.

I. The Family Priority

II. The Faithfulness Of Promise

III. The Future Provision

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I. The Family Priority

- This first point is more implicit through the text than explicit within it.

- Have you noticed that God has devoted 5 chapters to subject of the restoration of Joseph’s family? Moses focuses here on the relationship of this family.

- Joseph is a hard worker, and we will see a good picture of what he did on a day to day basis in the next chapter.

- Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Moses shows us that if life was cut into 7 pieces, family would take up 5 of those pieces.

- Think about the verses that we have seen. Much is made about Jacob’s feelings of loss, Joseph’s feelings regarding his brothers and the overwhelming guilt that the 10 brothers felt.

- Today, our life is the same but sometimes our focus is much different.

- We might cut our life entirely differently. We might think our career or our ministry is 5 pieces and our family is 2 pieces.

- If we did not say this, our actions betray that this is our belief when we choose work over our family, or our hobbies over their hearts.

- Is your wife spiritually cared for?

- Do you see your children as your primary teaching opportunity?

- To the unmarried ones, your family might be just around the proverbial corner, but in your current state, are you being an influence to the unbelievers in your family?

- God has made it clear to us that this is a priority of redemption.

- I was thinking about this in conjunction with the story of the Philippian Jailer, who witnessed the testimony of the Apostles Paul and Silas.

- After an Earthquake opened all the prison doors, he despaired of life, when Paul cried out that each of the prisoners had remained.

- After this the Philippian Jailer asked what must be done for salvation. He was told to believe upon the Lord Jesus. And then we come to the end of the story.

• Acts 16:33,34 : “And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.”

- The providence of God in salvation/redemption focuses on our family first.

II. The Faithfulness Of Promise

- The second priority of redemption here is the faithfulness that God carries to His Word, His promises.

- It seems that Jacob was wondering what would happen with that promise when God, answers him.

• Genesis 46:3,4 : “So He said, ‘I am God, the God of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will put his hand on your eyes."

- God assures Jacob that even though he must leave Canaan, that He will not forfeit the promise that was made to him.

- God says, “do not fear.” This means Jacob was fearful about the future of his family.

- The Lord makes it clear that He will go down with Jacob and He will bring him back up again.

- This promise will not be voided by Jacob’s necessary flight, even though the Lord makes it clear to Jacob that Joseph will put his hand on Jacob’s eyes, meaning that he would die in Egypt.

- Even though that would be the case, and Jacob’s leadership would end, the family would still move back to Canaan, God’s promise would hold true.

• Psalm 138:2 : “I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.”

- If any study relevantly shows that God’s promises, His word is not dependant upon human effort or human faithfulness, this study would be it!

- At the same time, time is never an issue for God. It will take over 400 years, but God will build the nation of Israel and bring them back to Canaan.

- His word, His promise will be fulfilled and His providence is working toward that focus.

- Perhaps you are worried about that in your life because of circumstances and time.

- You can’t see how such and such a thing can take place, but God will bring it to pass.
- The point of these texts is to remind and encourage us that God hasn’t changed. He has not lost His saving, delivering, redeeming, touch.

III. The Future Provision

- Finally, we note that the providence of God focuses on the future provision for this family.

- We see this immediately in Genesis 47:12, that they had food to eat and a land to till.

- The immediate provision would physically save their lives and allow them to carry on toward the messianic hope that lay within their lineage.

- But there is something much more to this concept of a future provision.

- Look back at Genesis 46.

- Joseph is priming his family about the definite extreme sense of racism that permeated the society of Egypt. He tells his family that the Pharaoh will ask what they do for a living and then instructs them:

• Genesis 46:34 : “that you shall say, ‘Your servants’ occupation has been with livestock from our youth even till now, both we and also our fathers,’ that you may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.’”

- God was bringing Israel into Egypt, not just to save them physically.

- He brought them into a land of extreme racial bias, and planted them where there would be little chance of admixture.

- You might recall that even in Genesis, there is an offer from the men of Shechem to intermarry. This would later be a common problem.

- God put them in a place where they would grow from a good sized tribe to a mighty nation.

- They would be protected militarily by the Egyptians, fed by the great Nile river and do so while maintaining genetic purity.

- In 400 years, the Israeli tribe would grow from 70 people to well over a million people!

- One commentator said, “Egypt would become a womb for the nation of Israel!”

- What does this mean for us? Again, providence, God directing human affairs for His glory, focuses on what God has in store for the future.

- God takes the long view and has perhaps planted you here just like he planted Israel there, to birth in you a wonderful spiritual tradition.

- What lessons you will learn in this season of your life! How much of the riches of God’s wisdom will you mine and then pass on so that they become part of the fabric of your family history?

Conclusion

- God’s providential hand focuses on our families, His faithfulness and our future.

- Be the priests of your home, gently leading your family to redemptive purposes

- Be strong in your conviction that God is busy fulfilling His promises to you.

- Be encouraged that God has your future in mind, and that the past and the present are contributing a rich spiritual heritage in Him.

The Practical Redemption Of Man

The Life Of Joseph, Session #8- The Redemption Of A Man’s Family pt.3

Intro.

- We have been watching Joseph’s ten brothers squirm under the hand of their brother.

- They have not recognized Joseph, as he is 22 years older, looks like an Egyptian, speaks a perfect Egyptian dialect and is named Zaphnath-Paaneah.

- It’s Judah’s impassioned plea for his half-brother Benjamin that ends the charade. Joseph can no longer hide his true identity and he reveals himself to his brothers.

- 20 years of grief melts in a giant emotional outpouring for all to see.

- The brothers are completely shocked and more than a little afraid!

• Genesis 45:3 : “Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph; does my father still live?’ But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence.”

- They are more afraid now because they know what they have done! We know Joseph’s intentions and know the story. Remember, at this moment, they were living a veritable nightmare!

- They are staring their supposedly dead brother in the eye and he is not only not dead, but he is the most powerful man in the known world!

- I imagine that this is the shock of every athiest who dies cursing Christ and then wakes to find that the one that he cursed a millisecond before is alive, well and in charge of heaven and hell!

- Joseph is not looking for revenge. He is not going to take advantage of their fears and look to exact a measure of recompense.

- Joseph is looking at life with a perspective that allows him to be a blessing.

- It’s a perspective that we desperately need to have when it comes to our family, our relations, our church.

- We will take a close look at this didactic portion of scripture, as it encompasses what Joseph has been working out theologically for 22 years of his life.

- How did he get through it? How did he manage his emotions and carry on through it all? How did he not give in to thoughts of vengeance and retribution?

- I believe that this section answers those questions for us.

- There are three perspectives that come clear to us in these first 8 verses of Genesis 45.

I. The Preservation Of Life (v.4,5)

II. The Preservation Of Posterity (v.6,7)

III. The Presentation Of God’s Glory To Pharaoh (v.8)

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I. The Preservation Of Life (v.4,5)

• Genesis 45:4,5 : “And Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Please come near to me.’ So they came near. Then he said: ‘I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.”

- Joseph brings his brothers near to him. They would remain in their fear otherwise.

- He acknowledges why they are afraid, but then affirms them.

- “Don’t be angry of grieved because of what you did to me” Joseph says.

- How Joseph could say that to the people who were directly responsible for putting him in such a miserable condition. How could he be so forgiving?

- It’s because of the next line: God sent me before you to preserve life!

- “You were the vehicle that God used to bring me to Egypt!”

- “God sent me” is an interesting statement. It was God who was directing Joseph’s course.

- It was God providentially allowing circumstances to take place, so that Joseph could preserve life.

- Joseph was a conduit of life. He was dispensing life. He was handing out hope with every loaf of bread. It was his genius that God employed to sustain the known world.

- It’s interesting to me, just how turned we might be on this issue.

- When bad things happen to us, legitimate, offenses that arise, what are we to think of them?

- In our day and age, we consider the person who has hurt or offended us and think only that He/She is to blame.

- Joseph had a different perspective. God allowed this so that he could preserve life.

- God allowed this to happen to me so that I might be in a position to dispense life to another.

- Why were you hurt? So that you could be embittered? Maybe now you can sympathize and minister to the hurting and disenfranchised.

- Why did you go through that health scare? So you could be discouraged? Maybe now you can live a life in thansgiving and offer resources to those in a similar condition.

- Why were you offended? So that you could leave and be angry? Perhaps God opened a door for relationship to better both sides.

- Go on down the line. The enemy of your soul hopes to drain you of life and God intends to use the same situation so that you, like Joseph, might preserve life and dispense it to those of similar circumstance.

- Our troubles become points of connection with people, God will redeem them.

II. The Preservation Of Posterity (v.6,7)

• Genesis 45:6,7 : “For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.”

- Things are going from bad to worse! The famine will continue and grow worse in severity.

- Joseph says, I have gone before you to preserve life in general and to save our family!

- During this time, Canaan was a dangerous place to live, without plowing or harvesting, meaning that there would be no way to sustain life there.

- Jacob’s family and that of the Messianic line are truly, physically in jeopardy.

- Joseph’s work in Egypt, through the sufferings that He has faced, would preserve the very life and future of his family!

- This idea of posterity refers to the spiritual characteristics of these survivors.

- Joseph was not just keeping them alive physically, but the hope of their redemption spiritually!

- Thus, posterity refers to descendants who are spiritually carrying on the messianic hope.

- Have you ever considered that the relationship that you have with Jesus is actually preserving a posterity for you?

- The truth principle seen here is precisely this: Our sufferings, be they physical, mental or otherwise, are meant to cause us to respond a certain, godly way.

- It’s no accident that you came to know the Lord when you did.

- It’s not incidental that you are leaders in your family, and in this community.

- The battles that you fight today with your children, on behalf of your family, actually serve to preserve a godly remnant, a faithful family for the future.

- Joseph physically was saving his family who would grow to a large nation in the racially segregated land of Egypt.

- Spiritually, that nation would produce Christ and His ministry and kingdom.

- You perhaps have suffered, have become the men that you are because of or in spite of your past. Your actions today of discipline, parental love, and prayer support, are possibly saving the lives of your children from the destruction the enemy would love to bring upon them!

- God has sent you before your children to preserve a posterity, a remant, a group of people who will be blessed and a blessing to their community, their family, their church long after you are gone!

III. The Presentation Of God’s Glory To Pharaoh (v.8)

• Genesis 45:8 : “So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.”

- Finally, let’s not forget that God revealed himself to the Pharaoh himself.

- Joseph was brought to Egypt by God to preserve life in general, to preserve a posterity and present the life of God to this Pharaoh.

- Pharaoh was thought of as “god on Earth.” What happens when “god on Earth” cannot control the Earth and it’s production? Where does that kind of person turn!?

- Joseph was placed there to reveal who the real God was!

- This verse shows us the extent of the relationship that Joseph had with Pharaoh.

- It was an essentially close one, as Joseph says that God had, “made me a father to Pharaoh.”

- That word may refer to an actual office, like that of a Prime Minister.

- But the implication is one of close counsel and influence.

- It is more than a position and more than a career.

- Joseph had the ear of the king! The King asked Joseph to speak into his life and to the matters of the Kingdom.

- Joseph was able to minister and ministrate in a godly fashion.

- There is little doubt that Joseph lived a testimony to the Pharaoh and spoke of the faithfulness of the true God.

- All the while, the Pharaoh looked on and watched this remarkably gifted man, perform his duties without a word toward revenge or a hint of anger.

- All the while, the Pharaoh must have been continually intrigued at the life of Joseph and continually thankful for such a wonderful steward to be in his employee.

- This extended to all of Pharaoh’s house and indeed throughout the land of the idolatrous Egyptians.

- God opened the floodgates and allowed a faithful man to proclaim the goodness of the true God of all Creation.

- The principle is obvious: Our positions, careers, paths, whatever you might call your “work” is meant of God to serve a greater purpose than to merely feed your family and provide happiness for you.

- I feel as though I am pressing a point or bringing a pet peeve to bear upon us. I assure you that I am only following scripture and this point is clearly made over and over again.

- God puts people in their places in order that He might bring glory and life to a group of people who were previously without it!

Conclusion

- The Christian life is one of purpose, from beginning to end, from trial to triumph.

- God has placed you where you are to be a conduit of life.

- You are the salt of the Earth, preserving the life of God in a dying society.

- Along the way, your children or the people that you influence, will carry on the life that you pour into them.

- The result will be the glorifying of God’s name on the Earth.

- Sounds like a good plan to me!

The Practical Redemption Of Man

The Life Of Joseph, Session #7- The Redemption Of A Man’s Family pt.2

Intro.

- One of the key lessons that I have learned over the years about teaching the bible is the importance of ignoring chapter/verse divisions.

- Chapter 42 through the end of chapter 46 encompasses one story arc.

- Having already looked at chapter 42 for it’s individual lessons, let’s condense the story of the next 2 chapters.

- Chapter 43 sees the story return to Canaan and Jacob’s resistance and final acquiescence to have the brothers return again with Benjamin to Egypt, only because of the promise of Judah.

• Genesis 43:8,9 : “Then Judah said to Israel his father, ‘Send the lad 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 myself will be surety for him; 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.”

- Coming before Joseph was not what they expected. Joseph was generous and hospitable toward them, inviting them into his house for dinner.

- Benjamin being there gave Joseph the opportunity that he was looking for to test the brother’s hearts.

• Genesis 43:33,34 : “And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth; and the men looked in astonishment at one another. Then he took servings to them from before him, but Benjamin’s serving was five times as much as any of theirs. So they drank and were merry with him.”

- The party was great and lasted most of the rest of the day. But the next morning a new level of the plan was unveiled.

• Genesis 44:1,2 : “And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, ‘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. Also put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and his grain money.’ So he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.”

- After the brothers left the city, an Egyptian group of secret service agents came upon them and charged them with theft.

- The brothers were stupefied and completely unaware that they were being set up.

• Genesis 44:7-13 : “And they said to him, ‘Why does my lord say these words? Far be it from us that your servants should do such a thing. Look, we brought back to you from the land of Canaan the money which we found in the mouth of our sacks. How then could we steal silver or gold from your lord’s house? With whomever of your servants it is found, let him die, and we also will be my lord’s slaves.’ And he said, ‘Now also let it be according to your words; he with whom it is found shall be my slave, and you shall be blameless.’ Then each man speedily let down his sack to the ground, and each opened his sack. So he searched. He began with the oldest and left off with the youngest; and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. Then they tore their clothes, and each man loaded his donkey and returned to the city.”

- It’s here that we see Judah stand before the Joseph and plead the case for his family.

- He tells the story that we have just reviewed to Joseph and ends with these statements:

• Genesis 44:30-34 : “Now therefore, when I come to your servant my father, and the lad is not with us, since his life is bound up in the lad’s life, it will happen, when he sees that the lad is not with us, that he will die. So your servants will bring down the gray hair of your servant our father with sorrow to the grave. For your servant became surety for the lad to my father, saying, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, then I shall bear the blame before my father forever.’ Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad as a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers. ‘For how shall I go up to my father if the lad is not with me, lest perhaps I see the evil that would come upon my father?”

- As we review this material, I suggest that what we see here before us in the life of Judah is a transformed man.

- In Judah’s life we see these evidences of transformation.

I. Changed Speech

II. Others Centered Focus

III. Sacrificial Love Demonstrated

Text

I. Changed Speech

- Look back with me to Genesis 37.

• Genesis 37:26,27 : “So Judah said to his brothers, ‘What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother and our flesh." And his brothers listened.”

- It was Judah’s idea to sell Joseph into slavery!

- He, along with his brothers, hated Joseph and was willing to get rid of him.

- 20 years have passed and we see a very different man.

- His speech here in Genesis 44 is reflective of wisdom and maturity.

- What a difference we see from the callous and careless speech of Genesis 37 to this compassionate conversation here.

- How we talk is indicative of what has happened in our hearts.

- Jesus is talking with his disciples about distinguishing between a good man and an evil man. He gives this bit of wisdom.

• Luke 6:45 : “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

- Paul, discussing the difference between the new man and the old man immediately draws attention to our speech in Ephesians chapter 4, note especially verse 29.

• Ephesians 4:29 : “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”

- Judah was a man who had changed and it was seen first in his speech, the way he talked.

- What does our speech communicate to those around us? Do they hear words of encouragment and blessing? Is truth mingled with love? Consider yourself reminded.

II. Others Centered Focus

- Notice the focus of his speech is for the benefit of another. Note again these comments:

• Genesis 44:30,31 : “Now therefore, when I come to your servant my father, and the lad is not with us, since his life is bound up in the lad’s life, it will happen, when he sees that the lad is not with us, that he will die. So your servants will bring down the gray hair of your servant our father with sorrow to the grave.”

- Judah’s concern is for Jacob and the effect that Benjamin’s absence would have on him.

- He cannot bear to see it, especially since he had been an accomplice to what had caused his aged father the deepest regret.

• Genesis 37:36 : “And all his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted, and he said, ‘For I shall go down into the grave to my son in mourning.’ Thus his father wept for him.”

- Judah noted the pain that had not abated caused by the loss of Joseph.

- Here in this speech, Judah puts the emotional well being of his father on a level higher than his own comfort.

- Judah could have said, “Well, that’s his loss and he’ll have to get over it!” He might have even said, “Why should I put myself in danger by arguing with this great man? There’s nothing that I can do.”

- That might have been the method of the younger Judah. The man we witness here is quite different, willing to step up and fight, not for his own interest, but for the interest of another.

- This again is a mark of God’s presence in a person.

- Paul, about to make an incredible statement about the humility of Christ, admonished the church in Philippi to follow that same example.

• Philippians 2:1-4 : “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

- Again, to the Romans, Paul exhorts

• Romans 12:9,10 : Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;”

- As we listen to these scriptures, perhaps the Lord, by His spirit, is pricking your heart afresh.

- Have we become self-centered Christians, more interested in what is happening with us than what it has happening to those around us?

III. Sacrificial Love Demonstrated

- Finally, the ultimate sign of transformation. It’s great to have changed speech and to be noble in our desire to be “others” centered. It’s quite another thing to actualize our words.

- In talking with Joseph, Judah offers himself as a substitute for Benjamin.

• Genesis 44:32,33 : “For your servant became surety for the lad to my father, saying, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, then I shall bear the blame before my father forever.’ Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad as a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers.”

- Again, how might Judah have handled this situation 20 years before?

- Here, he becomes the guarantor of Benjamin’s safety and then offers himself to Joseph.

- He is willing to lay down his life on behalf of his brother, for the sake of his Father.

- He is giving up the rights of his life, giving Joseph the right to enslave him.

- Here is ultimately a picture of Christ’s humility, who literally took the form of a bondservant, and submitted to a death that took the sins of an entire race of humans for all time.

- It is likely the reason that Judah is chosen to be the line through which the Messiah would come, known as the Lion Of The Tribe Of Judah.

- However, in it, we also see the reality of a man touched by God and can see it in men today who give their lives and dreams up for their families.

- How about the man who passes on a promotion because it would adversely affect his family’s spiritual life?

- How about the man who refuses to work several more hours on a regular basis because he knows that his family needs him?

- How about a man who uses his free time for the sole benefit of another, whether it be in volunteerism or counseling?

- These are men who know sacrificial love.

Conclusion

- As we come to the end of this study, it’s important to note these marks of true transformation.

- We want to be reminded of what God has left for us because often we mark our Christianity by other things.

- These are three benchmarks of a truly converted man of God.

- Therefore, what is coming out of your mouth? Are your words bitter, angry, sarcastic? Is your speech reflecting a heart that is right with the Lord?

- Second, is your focus on serving others, benefiting them over yourself? Would “esteeming others” be a benchmark philosophy of your life?

- Finally, is sacrifice a foundation stone of your being? Have you looked for ways to give to another in your life, simply for their benefit?

- I pray that as you are reminded that you might be given grace to realize these concepts in your life today.

The Practical Redemption Of Man

The Life Of Joseph, Session #6- The Redemption Of A Man’s Family

Intro.

- We could easily call this session, “Meanwhile, Back At The Ranch…”

- I say that because our focus will return to the land of Canaan and the family of Jacob.

- 20 years have passed since we have had concentrated time with Joseph’s family. 13 years from slavery to Pharoah’s dreams and then 7 years of good land production.

- Now, in that 20^th year, we begin with the description of the common conditions.

• Genesis 41:57-42:5 : “So all countries came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all lands. 42:1 When Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, Jacob said to his sons, ‘Why do you look at one another?’ And he said, ‘Indeed I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down to that place and buy for us there, that we may live and not die.’ So Joseph’s ten brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt. But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, ‘Lest some calamity befall him.’ And the sons of Israel went to buy grain among those who journeyed, for the famine was in the land of Canaan.”

- The infamous 10 brothers are alive and well, suffering alongside every nation through a devastating famine.

- There was little choice but to go down to Egypt just to survive.

- The brothers came into town and came before their own brother Joseph, known to them as the Egyptian Supervisor of Food Distribution, Zaphnath-Paaneah.

- There they are before the very brother that they had cruelly treated 20 years earlier.

- Not realizing that they were fulfilling a dream, they bowed themselves before Joseph.

• Genesis 42:7,8 : “Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he acted as a stranger to them and spoke roughly to them. Then he said to them, ‘Where do you come from?’ And they said, ‘From the land of Canaan to buy food. So Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him.”

- From here, Joseph tests his brothers. He accuses them of being spies. They deny it, calling themselves “honest men.”

- Then in verse 13, they describe their family situation.

• Genesis 42:13 : “And they said, ‘Your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and in fact, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no more.’”

- Joseph gets an idea: Let them bring his full brother Benjamin to Egypt! After a 3 day stay in prison, the boys are arguing among themselves.

• Genesis 42:21-24 : “Then they said to one another, ‘We are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear; therefore this distress has come upon us.’ And Reuben answered them, saying, ‘Did I not speak to you, saying, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Therefore behold, his blood is now required of us.’ But they did not know that Joseph understood them, for he spoke to them through an interpreter. And he turned himself away from them and wept. Then he returned to them again, and talked with them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes.”

- On their way home, the 9 brothers found themselves intrigued as their money was found in the money sacks and the question of how God was dealing with them.

- They got back to Canaan and re-told the story to their Father.

- Jacob’s reaction was severe.

• Genesis 42:36-38 : “And Jacob their father said to them, ‘You have bereaved me: Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and you want to take Benjamin. All these things are against me.’ Then Reuben spoke to his father, saying, ‘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 left alone. If any calamity should befall him along the way in which you go, then you would bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave.’”

- This section of scripture is very instructive regarding the effects of sin. Our sin affects our relationship with God and the people around us.

- Sin never stays isolated.

- Let’s take a look at what this chapter presents to us.

- Let me suggest that there are 4 accompanying side affects of sin that are seen in this chapter.

I. The Presence Of Perpetual Regret

II. The Maintenance Of A Sin Life

III. The Anticipation Of God’s Retribution

IV. The Stumbling Of Fellow Believers

Text

I. The Presence Perpetual Regret

- Looking back to verse 1, Jacob cannot understand why the boys are not jumping out on the caravan to get some food for their families.

• Genesis 42:1 : “When Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, Jacob said to his sons, ‘Why do you look at one another?’”

- Just hearing the word “Egypt” must have stopped them cold in their tracks, for they surmised that that was where Joseph, if he were alive, would be living a slave’s existence.

- Here, they will not jump at the chance, even with their own family’s survival at stake.

- Their actions haunted them daily. They knew that if Joseph was alive and miserable, that they did this to him. They were responsible. As a result, they are emotionally paralyzed.

- Regret eats at us when we have done a good thing that has not worked out. How much more when we have sinned and brought an ungodly thing into our lives.

- In this instance, I cannot help but think of Judas who regretted giving Jesus up for a slaves’ bounty. His regret led him to suicide.

- Our regret may not be that extreme, or lead us to that action, but the pleasures of sin are not worth whatever guilt it will produce.

II. The Maintenance Of A Sin Life

- One cannot just lie and then just be relieved. Sin must be maintained and renewed with sin adding to sin.

- Jacob’s children had to base their relationship with their Father on a living lie.

- Everytime Jacob talked with the boys, imagine how they were unable to have a functional conversation about the grief regarding Joseph’s loss.

- It’s not just in the family: Here we see them in Egypt carrying on their lie to Joseph’s face.

- Sin is constantly needing to be maintained.

- A great example of this is seen in the life of King David, who slept with Uriah’s wife Bath-Sheba, impregnating her. He tried to cover his tracks by bringing Uriah home from the war effort and getting him to sleep with his wife, but he would not, choosing instead to sleep outside because he was “on-duty.”

- The next night, David purposely got Uriah drunk so that in a drunken stupor, he would sleep with his wife. Ironically, a drunk foot soldier had more integrity than a sober King, as Uriah again slept outside.

- Finally, David sent Uriah to the frontlines of an intense battle, in order that he might be killed.

- After all that, he quickly took Bath-Sheba as his wife to fully cover up his activities.

- Sounds like a lot of work and a continual burden! But David did not get away with it.

• Psalm 32:1-4 : “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer.”

III. The Anticipation Of God’s Retribution

- This point is especially interesting, especially in light of Psalm 32:4. David said that “God’s hand was heavy” upon him. When one is living in sin, there is a lack of peace and there is a certain feeling of dread around every corner.

- The 10 sons of Israel certainly expressed this clearly when they spoke one with another in verses 21 and 22.

- “God is going to get us! We knew better and we still went ahead with our activity.”

- God does not want this for His people, but when we entertain or enter into a sinful activity, this is the certain outcome in our minds.

- The writer of Hebrews writes an ominous aside to this truth in Hebrews chapter 10.

• Hebrews 10:27-31 : “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. And again, ‘The Lord will judge His people.’ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

- Then look at verse 35.

• Hebrews 10:35 : “Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.”

- Our confidence is in the blood and sacrifice of Christ. When we choose sin, to live in it as a rule, we forfeit that confidence and only have a sense of fear and dread.

IV. The Stumbling Of Fellow Believers

- Here is the final point and the one that is most grievous.

- Notice Jacob. He is over-protective, afraid to let Benjamin out of his sight.

- He lacks a confidence in God’s hand to protect and cover his family.

- He also displays a skewed perspective on life in general.

- Note again in verse 36. “All these things are against me.”

- There is no acknowledgment of what God would or could do. All he thinks about is the grief and there is no talk about God’s presence.

- Jacob is a shattered man because of his son’s activities. Joseph has suffered as well.

- Even though Joseph has risen to the highest rank in the land of Egypt, he is still at a loss.

- Here he is, almost 20 years removed from the initial offense, and he is still broken up over the loss of his life and family.

- He still weeps over these fellow brothers who had mistreated him so cruelly.

- Here is a man, at the top of his world, who still deals with the emotional wounds dealt to him from the sin of another.

Conclusion

- As we conclude, consider a few parting thoughts.

- I know that it might seem elementary, or basic to cover this concept.

- I answer that possible objection by saying that God found it important enough to preserve.

- Perhaps you might conclude that you are not being tempted right now and this is irrelevant information. My counseling room tells a different story!

- If you are not being tempted now, just remember that Satan looks for “opportune times” and one is likely around the corner.

- Finally, if you are or have been in sin, let me say that God is wanting to forgive and cleanse. His blood, His grace and His mercy are sufficient for those that confess their sins and repent of their actions. Let’s be men who live in that reality!