Worship and Prayer

Introduction

I often use my introduction for a story or a joke of some sort. But, as I’ve been working through this series, I’ve found myself, for the first time in my life, finding common ground with Jacob. And that’s not necessarily a good thing.

I’ve thought a lot about a hard experience I had as a pastor many years ago in which I was hurt pretty deeply, which led me to be disappointed with God.

I eventually, over time, was able to work through the circumstance, but I could still feel the burn of bitterness in my heart. It took me much longer to work through that.

So, just like Jacob, I wasted a lot of time being bitter about my circumstances, particularly with God. These are often called, “dark nights of the soul” and they can last much longer than a night.

What do we do when we find ourselves in a “dark night of the soul”? Or, maybe more importantly, how can we fight against times like these, so we don’t waste time; like I did or Jacob did? We will see that this morning.

Body: Genesis 45:14-46:4

Verses 14-24

After Joseph reveals his true identity to his brothers, we see his emotions pour out, particularly for his full brother, Benjamin.

It’s interesting the Pharaoh too was pleased about this revelation.

While Pharaoh knew that Joseph was a Hebrew, this new information brings joy to Pharaoh.

This shows Pharaoh’s affection for Joseph and his recognition that Joseph was a blessing to him.

In fact, Pharaoh goes so far as to say: Leave your stuff behind, because I’ll give you even better stuff when you get down here! Wow!

This is confirmation of what Joseph had already told the brothers: that ultimately it was God’s sovereignty that brought Joseph here and to this place.

Joseph sends his brothers off with gifts, and even greater gifts for both Benjamin and his father.

It’s fascinating this consider that here Joseph is clothing his brothers when they stripped him of his!

This is both a sign of his affection for them and a sign to his father that this isn’t something the brothers made up.

Joseph’s last words to them before they leave are, “Don’t fight along the way!” I wonder why?

Could he be talking about the possibility that they would be jealous of Benjamin?

Could it be that he figures they will be blaming each other for treating Joseph like they did?

Or is there something else he believes they will fight about?

It is also possible that this could be translated: “Don’t fear” or “Don’t take undue risks.”

Verses 25-28

I wonder about what their walk home was like?

Was it quiet, as they tried to wrap their minds around what they’ve experienced?

Were they rejoicing all the way home?

When the brothers arrive back home to Jacob they tell him the incredible news.

At first he doesn’t believe them (who could blame him!), but after seeing the gifts he is convinced that something incredible has happened.

He determines to go and see Joseph before he dies.

I wonder if the brothers took this perfect opportunity to confess their sin to Jacob

Verses 1-4

Didn’t Pharaoh tell Israel to leave his possessions? Why does it say that he took all that he had?

It’s possible that this is talking about his entire family, as is listed below.

It could be that he brought all his stuff, which really shouldn’t be surprising, since most people want to keep their things, especially those prized possessions.

Remember, it was Pharaoh who told Israel not to take his possessions with, not God.

Additionally, in typical fashion for the patriarchs, they were tentative about putting themselves in a situation where someone else could claim they made the rich.

Before going to Egypt, Israel stops in Beersheba to worship. Why is stopping here significant?

Partly because it shows a picture of the spiritual journey of Israel. Throughout much of his story, the last place he would go to for assurance and guidance was God.

Remember, essentially, since the apparent death of Joseph, Jacob/Israel hasn’t had any discernable relationship with God. It’s almost like he completely cut off communication with God.

But, now he comes to the Lord in worship again.

I can’t help but wonder if this started with a conviction for all the time he’d wasted being bitter over his circumstances?

Additionally, Israel was in great need of reassurance from God, because the promises of God had been so tied to the land of Canaan for him.

My guess is he was afraid. I’ll talk more about this in a second.

Why Beersheba?

Beersheba is south of Hebron, where Israel was living. Beersheba is significant because both Isaac and Abraham lived there for a time.

The patriarchs all lived there for a time: Abraham (Gen. 21:31), Isaac (Gen. 26:23), and Jacob (Gen. 28:10).

Abraham dug a well there and entered into a compact with Abimelech. Additionally, it says that Abraham “called upon the Lord” at Beersheba. (Gen. 21:31-33)

God appeared to Isaac at Beersheba, encouraging him to fear not because of His covenantal promises to Abraham. Isaac would build an altar to the Lord there. Which means it was a significant spiritual place for the family. (Gen. 26:23-25)

And for Jacob, Beersheba would be the place where he would depart for Haran to flee from Esau. (Gen. 28:10)

Eventually it would mark the southern boundary of Judah. The phrase “from Dan to Beersheba” was often used to designate all the territory of Israel (Judg. 20:1; 1 Sam. 3:20)

Why does God call Israel Jacob here?

Jacob is the name used most often and what he is best known as. The name Israel reinforces the promises and provision of God.

God uses the names interchangeably, and there isn’t always a clear reason why.

Why does God say, “…there I will make you into a great nation”? Didn’t He do that in Canaan?

God is reassuring Israel that it’s okay to go down to Egypt, because earlier He told him not to go to Egypt (Gen. 26:1-5)

To put it another way, this will not undermine God’s divine promises that center on Canaan.

The great Baptist preacher, Charles Haddon Spurgeon once wrote a sermon pointing out why Jacob was afraid to go to Egypt:

Jacob was an old man (thus, change was not something he easily embraced);

Egypt was a pagan country;

Egypt had bad past memories for Jacob (think back to Abraham’s failure in Egypt);

Jacob had been warned of future evils (see Gen. 15:13).

God reassures Jacob through a four-fold promise:

Don’t be afraid, I will go down with you...

That He would make Jacob’s descendants a great nation, as was promised to his forefathers...

That He will bring Israel’s descendants back to Canaan...

That Joseph would be present at Jacob’s death...

God says He will go down with Israel to Egypt and He will bring Israel up again. But didn’t Israel die in Egypt?

Yes, but Israel does return to Canaan; in a casket. (Gen. 50:4-14)

Additionally, when the nation of Israel returned to the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua, it can be said that Israel’s descendants were brought back up again.

So What?

Yesterday I listen to a sermon by Francis Schaeffer and in the sermon Schaeffer asked an important question: Do we treat God as an orthodox, theological concept, or our living and glorious helper, moment by moment?

Our temptation would be to quickly answer this, but I think as we truly take an inventory of our day-to-day living, we might not find this question as easy as we once thought.

This is particularly true when we’ve experienced a major disappointment; particularly a disappointment with God.

That’s where Jacob has lived for at least twenty years.

And yet, now we see him finally going back to the Lord in worship.

There’s a vital lesson here:

Always seek God’s direction through worship and prayer.

This is true in good times, bad times, and neutral times.

For too many, worship and prayer is something to check off our “to do” list.

Something we feel obligated to do. Or, something we will do if and when it fits into our schedule.

And too often, our worship is nothing more than going through the motions. We put on a holy show, hoping to look the part more than we strive to live the part.

Isaiah 29:13 ESV

And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,

This can be particularly true when we are struggling with disappointment with God.

Jacob spent years wallowing in disappointment with God. And, frankly, they were wasted years that he could never get back.

How many of us are wasting years of our lives, living like God is a hypothetical reality, or simply a theological reality, but not our personal God who wants our heart, mind and body completely committed to being His followers.

How many are so disappointed with God that we are wasting our time, putting on a show, with no real discernable impact for Christ to be shown.

Turning this around typically starts with worship and prayer. This is because we waste much time and effort when we fail to seek God’s guidance through worship and prayer.

Matthew 6:33 ESV

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

So, when it comes to our worship and prayer, we need to come to Him honestly, humbly, and willingly. Even is we are dealing with deep, painful hurts.

God knows our circumstances. And, just like Jacob’s situation, He knows far more than we know!

Worship and prayer are especially vital when leaving the familiar and walking into the unfamiliar.

We all must do it in life, but no one relishes it. In fact, most fear the unknown, especially when it something that will require massive change.

But when God says go, His people are unwise to not trust Him!

Another thing to consider from this text is, we need to fearlessly do what God has called you to do, until He calls you to do something else.

When we don’t know what to do, especially in the face of change, we ought to worship and pray, seeking God’s guidance. If He is silent, continue to pray and do the last thing He told you to do. When He speaks, follow hard without fear because He is always faithful!