Genesis 44:1-34
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Genesis 44:1-34
Genesis 44:1-34
Last week, Andy did an amazing job teaching us about Genesis 43. He was very adamant that it’s time that most Christians go all-in with their faith. So many times in our daily walks, we take back the ground the Lord has won for us, like we won it ourselves. We look back longingly at the things we left behind, that the Lord took from us. We become confident that we can handle them ourselves now.
Strangely, Andy was drawn to one verse in the 34 of the last chapter. Does anyone remember what it was?
10 For if we had not lingered, surely by now we would have returned this second time.”
Who said this? JUDAH. Do we remember Judah? Who is Judah, in the story of Jesus?
5 But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”
Who was Judah to Joseph? Who remembers? Gen 37:26-27
26 So Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27 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.
After Joseph was sold into slavery, Genesis 38 was all about Judah’s family. In short, Judah got married and had 3 sons. His first son married Tamar, but died before she could bear children. So his 2nd son was promised, but he died too. Judah then promised the 3rd son to her once he was of age, so he sent her to her hometown, but Judah didn’t want to lose another son to this woman.
So, he lied to her for years, and then there was a festive sheep shearing event in that town, and she knew he was coming with his youngest son Shelah in tow. So, she got dressed up, and sat in the street. Judah had recently lost his wife, so he thought she was a harlot. He went to her, not recognizing her, and offered to pay for her services, but he had nothing to barter with. She asked him for his signet and the chain that held it around his neck, which today would be like giving her your wallet with your license inside it. She also asked for his scepter, something most wealthy and important men carry around with them at that time in leiu of payment.
When Judah gets home, he sends his friend out to town with the goat to find the harlot, and after asking many people there where the town harlot was...they all said there isn’t one. Now, Judah is not happy, he gave up so much to her, but he moves on.
Several months go by, and Judah finds out that Tamar is pregnant, and she got pregnant by playing a harlot. So, righteous Judah suggests she be burned for bringing him dishonor. So, they go and get her, and bring her to town, but she sends to Judah and says:
25 When she was brought out, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, “By the man to whom these belong, I am with child.” And she said, “Please determine whose these are—the signet and cord, and staff.” 26 So Judah acknowledged them and said, “She has been more righteous than I, because I did not give her to Shelah my son.” And he never knew her again.
Tamar had twins from that union. One of them would be called Perez, and from him would come Jesus.
When did the events of Chapter 38 happen? Genesis 39 happens right after Chapter 37, so Chapter 38 must be in the future from then? How long in the future? Maybe within 20 years? What happened to Judah in that time? He was humbled, wasn’t he? Majorly, and publicly.
The Lord let Judah’s words weigh heavily on Jacob because the Lord had worked on his heart. Reuben was still in the doghouse. He offered his 2 sons to Jacob to protect Benjamin. That’s back to where verse 10 from last week settled...HOW LONG HAD IT BEEN? It could have been a couple of months...some scholars say it could have been a year to many years. We don’t know...just that he was stuck there.
As a son, that would be hard on me. All you have to do is send Benjamin and I’m free. Simeon had to sit, though. The Lord had good reason for it
In these 2 chapters today, we’re going to see the result of a 20+ year journey of the trials the Lord puts us thru to shape us into the men He wants us to be.
1 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. 2 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.
2 chapters back, in Genesis 42, when the brothers first came before Joseph, Joseph recognized his brothers, but accused them of being spies, remember? How did the brothers respond?
11 We are all one man’s sons; we are honest men; your servants are not spies.”
HONEST men, then in verse 13:
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.”
These honest men, just told a lie to the one man who knows it all. As the brothers are about to be sent home after their strange encounter with lord Joseph. 3 tables, little Ben getting 5 times as much as them...big party, how it’s time to head home. Joseph wanted to test and see if these men had learned anything. Were they honest men? It was important for him to know.
So the steward AGAIN returned the money to them, but this time put a silver cup, HIS cup in Benjamin’s bag. What’s cheeky about that cup? It’s silver. What did the brothers sell Joseph for? Silver. The very payment they received for Joseph would soon be an instrument of terror for them:
3 As soon as the morning dawned, the men were sent away, they and their donkeys. 4 When they had gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said to his steward, “Get up, follow the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good? 5 Is not this the one from which my lord drinks, and with which he indeed practices divination? You have done evil in so doing.’ ”
Joseph wants to ramp up the tension on his brothers. They deserve this for what they’ve done. The Lord’s hand is in it. I am NOT implying that taking any kind of revenge on people who have wronged you is the right thing to do, but in this case, Joseph is justified in bringing the fear of God upon them.
Verse 5 talks of divination, what is that? Divination meant discerning the will of the gods. It was something that was very important to leaders in Egyptian culture to be able to follow the will of the gods. In Joseph’s position, whether he actually did those things is up for debate. Something this cup would be used for also is casting lots, which is kind of like flipping a coin. What’s important, is the fact that this would put further dread into the brothers’ hearts.
What is Joseph doing here? He’s testing their honesty now. He wants to know if they are truly men of their word. It took them a REALLY LONG time to come get Simeon. Talk about uncomfortable...what does that say about Jacob too? They didn’t forget about him. The dysfunction of this family gives us hope, right? Man, if their family is messed up and great things can come eventually from them...There’s hope for ours, right? Let’s continue on, the steward has been sent:
6 So he overtook them, and he spoke to them these same words. 7 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. 8 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? 9 With whomever of your servants it is found, let him die, and we also will be my lord’s slaves.”
Uh-oh...this has happened before. We don’t know who said these words...but they were foolish, just as Jacob used them when Laban came to accuse HIM of stealing his family and livestock from him...but they took something else, didn’t they? Laban came looking for his household idols, because Rachel took them. Joseph said at that time too:
31 Then Jacob answered and said to Laban, “Because I was afraid, for I said, ‘Perhaps you would take your daughters from me by force.’ 32 With whomever you find your gods, do not let him live. In the presence of our brethren, identify what I have of yours and take it with you.” For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.
When the Bible repeats something, take note. Jacob didn’t know things were hidden by his wife. Neither do his sons know that Joseph had set a trap for them. They’re standing up righteously, aren’t they? They’ve done nothing wrong. The brothers are angry...when you’re angry, you sometimes make bad choices, especially when you’re using your mouth. I encourage my kids all the time...find out the answer first. When someone calls and complains about one of my employees at work, my first thing is to call them and get their side of the story. I don’t want a bias, I want to hear from one of my guys what happened and let them take responsibility if they need to.
More than anything, I want my employees to have integrity. If you screw something up, fess up to it. My kids know, if they do something that’s not right, the truth is so much easier to work with than lies. Why is that? Those are teachable moments, aren’t they? Almost every screw-up is able to be learned from. Teach in those moments. Don’t hide your flaws and faults. They might be embarrassing, but they can do so much good!
So the servant responds:
10 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.” 11 Then each man speedily let down his sack to the ground, and each opened his sack. 12 So he searched. He began with the oldest and left off with the youngest; and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. 13 Then they tore their clothes, and each man loaded his donkey and returned to the city.
The servant recognizes here...I don’t want to take anyone’s life, but as a slave, sure! He knows the instructions he’s been given, not to harm them, but to teach them. What’s different about the brothers here though? With Joseph, they were pretty quick to leave without him. With Simeon, they left him for like a year. They didn’t want to, but they did. Now, with Benjamin, they’re going to finally protect. Joseph wanted to know, would they leave Benjamin like they left him?
These brothers were close, Benjamin must have been held closer than Joseph ever was too...which would have driven them to the same jealousy, unless the Lord did a work on them. You remember what they said when they first spoke with Joseph about Benjamin, and HIM:
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.”
They said one brother vanished...he was, then he was not. Poof, gone. Not exactly a Pulitzer Prize answer. I looked for what they award people for telling the truth and I couldn’t find anything, so I had to take that one.
But POOF, wouldn’t you know, look at that, gone. Joseph had to know, would these brothers leave his full-blood brother and wash their hands like they did with him. This time, they returned. And who lead the march back? Big mouthed Judah.
14 So Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house, and he was still there; and they fell before him on the ground. 15 And Joseph said to them, “What deed is this you have done? Did you not know that such a man as I can certainly practice divination?”
Wait...JOSEPH does DIVINATION? He had to fit in with Egyptian customs, right? Ethics is a funny subject. It often pits 2 truths against each other. What it comes down to in the end is, what is God’s will, and will it save God’s people.
In this position, having the gift of reading dreams, gave him a gift of divination with the Most High God, didn’t it? That’s the one you want to have over any. Understanding the intent of God in our lives, and in others is a special gift. It keeps people on the right track.
Now, I love a good setup. This one is one of the greats. From the last 2 chapters, Joseph has been a step ahead of his brothers, hasn’t he been? First he knows all the right questions to ask his brothers to get to the bottom of who’s family they are and to get them to bring Benjamin to see him.
Then, when they bring him...they get astonished, why?
33 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. 34 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.
They were sat by Joseph IN ORDER.
Now, Joseph just happened to know that ONE OF THEM had this divination cup with him.
Clearly, in their eyes, they would have greater fear in Joseph now than ever before. This man could truly read the face of the gods if he knew all of this stuff. How could they possibly stand before him and plead a case. But by the grace of God, right? So, there is one who had the audacity to open his mouth, and it is the brother who sealed his fate for these last 22 years:
16 Then Judah said, “What shall we say to my lord? What shall we speak? Or how shall we clear ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants; here we are, my lord’s slaves, both we and he also with whom the cup was found.” 17 But he said, “Far be it from me that I should do so; the man in whose hand the cup was found, he shall be my slave. And as for you, go up in peace to your father.”
Joseph is saying: Leave your brother here...further pushing the older brothers away. He’s saying that he’ll protect him if they won’t. Judah then takes a chance:
18 Then Judah came near to him and said: “O my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord’s hearing, and do not let your anger burn against your servant; for you are even like Pharaoh. 19 My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father or a brother?’ 20 And we said to my lord, ‘We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, who is young; his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother’s children, and his father loves him.’
His brother is dead...finally a shred of truth.
2 SLIDES
21 Then you said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me, that I may set my eyes on him.’ 22 And we said to my lord, ‘The lad cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’ 23 But you said to your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall see my face no more.’ 24 “So it was, when we went up to your servant my father, that we told him the words of my lord. 25 And our father said, ‘Go back and buy us a little food.’
26 But we said, ‘We cannot go down; if our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down; for we may not see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.’ 27 Then your servant my father said to us, ‘You know that my wife bore me two sons; 28 and the one went out from me, and I said, “Surely he is torn to pieces”; and I have not seen him since. 29 But if you take this one also from me, and calamity befalls him, you shall bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave.’
Now, Joseph knows what his dad thinks happened to him too...
30 “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, 31 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. 32 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.’ 33 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. 34 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?”
This is the heart of a humble man. A man who had learned many mistakes, but now is pleading for the life of his youngest brother, knowing he put his life up as a ransom if Benjamin didn’t come home. He’s not trying to save his own skin here though...he’s showing respect and honor to his father. The emotion of the scene is weighing on Joseph:
1 Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Make everyone go out from me!” So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it. 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.
The brothers may think another trick is being played on them. No more interpreter, what is happening, and Joseph continues:
4 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. 5 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. 6 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. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 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.
The guilt the brothers had for so many years came melting away. Joseph reveals himself, AND, that this plan wasn’t theirs, but God’s.
He says Genesis 45:7–8 “7 And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 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.”
The brothers sacrificed Joseph for their own gain. Joseph sees that his sacrifice has now been brought full circle. God even made him like a father to Pharaoh. HE was Pharaoh’s advisor! Joseph’s sacrifice made him powerful, influential...and now he was in the business of not only saving his family’s lives, but the lives of everyone around the world.
Joseph could have reveled in this moment, but over the last year, he’s seeing that God allowed him to suffer to save lives. His suffering would bring deliverance. Just like that of Jesus’ suffering would bring about deliverance. He didn’t forsake the suffering, he made the pain useful and meaningful. Sometimes our pain and struggle pushes us to get bigger, stronger, and faster. Do you know what my struggle does to me now? It makes me aware of my audience. You all are my audience in my every day life. When I walk away from this pulpit, you will know if this man, is that man. I don’t want to wear a costume. I don’t want to be a clown. I can easily be one, though, couldn’t I?
Watch me and my family struggle. Watch us hurt and argue. Watch us succeed. See what drives us...AND...where we’re driven to. We want you to know us, and we want to know you. You’ll find, we’re learning from you as you’re learning from us too. That’s what a church does people. We disciple and mentor each other. I hold the title Pastor, but I’m really Aaron. It’s my job to care for the flock, to equip you for the work of the ministry. What is your work of ministry? Where are you being called out of your comfort zone to? You all have gifts. Use them.
Joseph is finally aligned with his brothers again, gives them instruction:
2 SLIDES
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 to me, you and your children, your children’s children, your flocks and your herds, and all that you have. 11 There I will provide for you, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty; for there are still five years of famine.” ’
12 “And behold, your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my mouth that speaks to you. 13 So you shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that you have seen; and you shall hurry and bring my father down here.” 14 Then he fell on his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. 15 Moreover he kissed all his brothers and wept over them, and after that his brothers talked with him.
Joseph tells them, GO BRING EVERYONE with you and I will provide. Doesn’t that sound like the Jesus we know and love? I was speaking with my kids earlier this week, when we aren’t doing what God wants us to do...he’ll provide for our needs, and sometimes we need to prioritize those needs into categories too, right? SOMETIMES, the need is “I have just enough food for my family, but not for me.”
What does that say about or needs? That they’re out of wack, right? Maybe you need to take that meal off...Aaron. But, when we’re doing what the Lord wants us to do, what happens? We’re blessed over and abundantly. That’s mirrored here, isn’t it? All of these years, the Lord was doing a work, not only in Joseph, but in his brothers also. They had to learn the hard way too. Now, Joseph, using what? Trials, right? Now Joseph has been able to see that the brothers have learned their lessons and are now ready for the blessings coming to them.
What else do we see here also? We see clear communication. In verse 12, Joseph says “see it is my mouth that speaks to you.” No longer did Joseph use a translator with them. This is indicative of the communication we get to have freely with the Lord when we turn our lives over to Christ. Once we accept that great gift, take time to hear Him speak to you. Turn off the radio in the car. SHUT OFF your phone, and just be with the Lord. You’ll start to hear him as He speaks to you. It normally isn’t in words. But it’s all around you. A little here, a little there. You’ll see Him work, you’ll see His goodness, His glory. Sometimes you’ll see His plans being set up.
When put behind the 8 ball, Joseph didn’t know what was happening. It took him years to see and become OK with that prospect. How much time does it take? Exactly what it takes. Be patient with the Lord, because he’s patient with you. Some of you came to Christ early in live. Some way late. He was patient with you, now He’s got work to do to turn you into something useful. Be patient with Him as you’re learning His plans too.
We have just a few verses left, let’s continue on:
16 Now the report of it was heard in Pharaoh’s house, saying, “Joseph’s brothers have come.” So it pleased Pharaoh and his servants well. 17 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and depart; go to the land of Canaan. 18 Bring your father and your households and come to me; I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the fat of the land. 19 Now you are commanded—do this: Take carts out of the land of Egypt for your little ones and your wives; bring your father and come. 20 Also do not be concerned about your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.’ ”
This was not the custom, was it? The Egyptians were supposed to stay apart from the Hebrews. Now, he’s inviting a HUGE FAMILY to come and live amongst them and integrate their lives. When a man or woman of God is doing His work, people notice...and even the hardest of hearts change.
A man or woman sold-out for Christ is unstoppable. The enemy will come hard and fast knowing the threat you are. Solidify in your heart what you’re going to do and stand up. It takes a lot of will-power. The bigger a pest you are to the enemy, expect more attacks. Keep your eye on the prize. Our church body has been thru a lot recently...you may be begging it to stop. I’ll be worried when it all does.
33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
It doesn’t say might...it says WILL. Why? Because this world hates Jesus, and it’ll hate you too for following Him.
2 SLIDES
21 Then the sons of Israel did so; and Joseph gave them carts, according to the command of Pharaoh, and he gave them provisions for the journey. 22 He gave to all of them, to each man, changes of garments; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of garments. 23 And he sent to his father these things: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and food for his father for the journey. 24 So he sent his brothers away, and they departed; and he said to them, “See that you do not become troubled along the way.”
25 Then they went up out of Egypt, and came to the land of Canaan to Jacob their father. 26 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. 27 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. 28 Then Israel said, “It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”
2 Chapters...only now is Jacob called Israel. Hope has returned to this old man...why? Because he’s been assured he’ll see his son again.
There is a life after death. I will argue simply with people who disagree...what if you’re wrong? If I’m wrong, nothing happens...but if I’m right, what does that mean for you? I don’t have to wrestle with the logic behind it. I don’t wonder if I’m wrong about Christ. I’m OK with being wrong if I’m wrong! Ask my wife. I don’t struggle with it, I’ve surrendered to it. What an unbelieving world needs to wrestle with is, what if the Bible is right...then what?
The brothers, faithfully, returned to their father with good news (what is the Gospel called? The Good News!). They come with a resurrection story. One that, in just a few days we’ll be experiencing for Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. Why do we call it “Good Friday” when it was the worst day in human history? Because only with great sacrifice can blessings come.
Anything good in this life is worth fighting for, bleeding for, dying for. The greatest thing in this world is to lay down your life, figuratively and literally, for your friends. In our class this week, we talked about what it means to be a Biblical woman, but to learn what it is, we had to recognize what it’s not. It’s NOT a woman who sits in a corner and only responds when asked to. She’s not a carpet. Proverbs 31 describes a strong woman, motivated by doing what is good and right, providing for her family, as her husband does.
The lady being interviewed in the podcast we listened to said she encourages women to live a poured-out life. She said it angers some women because they instantly think she’s saying “You’re saying we should always be empty, completely sacrificial without ever being served or filled.” That’s not what she’s saying at all. Being poured out means YOU LEAVE IT ALL ON THE TABLE, not in the cup. It means mission accomplished. I have done the good work and kept the faith.
A good Christian shouldn’t have a full cup. We should be funnels, as the Lord pours into us spiritually, emotionally, FINANCIALLY, we should be pouring that surplus back out thru us. My wife calls it being a leaky vessel. Think of a leaky water pitcher...water gets where other things grow along the way to the garden, right? You’ll be surprised what grows in those areas where you didn’t even know you were being splashed.
The people around you are your mission field. You’re being splashed on them every day. Are people drawn to you? Or does your personality, your language, your mean looks, your cutting jabs drive them from you? People want to see faith lived out. You bring that to them.
This week, I encourage you to ask the people you work with if they’re going to church this weekend. If they’re going somewhere...consider going with them! BUILD that relationship. You’ll learn what they know and believe, you’ll be able to see if our church should partner with theirs. It will give you solid things to talk about too. If they don’t have a place to go, invite them here.
Remember this is an equipping ground for the saints. Who are the saints? You are. Serving here isn’t about serving this church body...it’s about preparing you for the work ahead. Serve with our hospitality team, come see Jean or Liz about that. Have trouble with Bible Knowledge and teaching? We have kids who can teach you a thing or two. Get involved. You’ll make a difference here, AND there!
There is your mission, should you choose to accept it. Keep an eye on our facebook page, we may go to the park on Sunday if the weather is good for us.
