Genesis 42 - “God’s Work with the Calloused”
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Opening Statement -
“It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply." God actually rises up storms of conflict in relationships at times in order to accomplish that deeper work in our character.”
― A.W. Tozer
Opening Background -
God has HAD big plans for the family of Israel.
God first enrolled Joseph, into this school of humility.
From the Pit, to Potiphar’s house as a slave, to Prison on false charges - lasting 13 years!!
The all-in-one-day been promoted to second in command of the most powerful country in the world...
“He who humbles himself, will be exalted.”
NEXT, God enrolls Joseph’s brothers into this school of humility.
They will only get a taste of what their brother went through.
Jospeh’s brothers carried years of guilt, resulting in a “hardened” state.
God can’t use them until He first breaks them.
Relevance to CCB -
Have you ever “carried guilt” for a long time
Never giving “that person” another chance.
Or you did that “one thing” you’ll never forget.
Or perhaps you feel as if you have no guilt in your heart….
I’ll say to just look harder and pray (Psalm 139:24)
causing “hard heart?”
You don’t feel?
You don’t care?
You don’t love?
That’s what we’ll see with Joseph’s brothers…and that’s who God will continue to work with…
Message
Let’s Pray
Read along (vv. 1 - 8) - The Scene
Joseph is about 39 years old -
Joseph was 30 (Gen 41:46) when promoted under Pharaoh.
Add seven years as #2 under Pharaoh, managing “the seven years of abundance”
Then add about two more years after the “famine” became serious enough to let outsiders know that Egypt had reserves.
Because “the famine was severe in ALL the lands” (Gen 41:57), Jacob in Canaan hearing about the abundance in Egypt, Jacob understood the importance of sending for grain.
Jacob urged his sons to go to Egypt to buy some grain.
But they didn’t seem to excited to go to Egypt. Why not?
Maybe because they sold their brother into Egyptian slavery...and that’s too close for comfort?
They were guilty. They understood to criminal 101,
“never return to the scene of the crime.”
The brothers had kept this secret for 20 years and counting.
20 years of burying deep down the sin of a lifetime.
But Jacob won’t let them off the hook.
Because - (v. 2b) This is a life or death decision for their physical wellbeing.
We all have to make a “life or death” decision for our spiritual wellbeing at some point.
And the physical will pass away. The soul remains forever. The soul’s “life or death” decision is the most important one you’ll ever make.
But if you’ve been “hardened” by sin (as these men have), don’t be surprised when God allows circumstances in your life to “soften” your heart...AKA “bring you to your knees”
At that point, with a soft heart, God’s name will be glorified in your life...and you’re life becomes
But even if you have a “soft” heart in general, we’ve all got hard spots that still need to be worked on.
Don’t believe me?
How Christian are you when you drive?
When you pay your taxes?
Or when those around you slander someone who is an easy target?
(vv. 3-4) So the ten went to Egypt. - Minus Benjamin (the youngest and Rachel’s only son left)
Jacob most likely kept Benjamin behind due to the risk/protecting him from any possible harm.
Benjamin would have reminded Jacob of his “deceased” beloved wife Rachel and his “deceased” favorite son Joseph.
(v. 6) As Joseph would have expected that surrounding countries would come for the grain in addition to the normal Egyptian residents.
Joseph seems to be in a position to personally “vet” the “foreign-sales”
Due to it’s sensitive nature
And probably because he knew if/when his brothers show up, that’s where they will most likely meet.
(v. 7) Sho ‘nuff, And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the earth
There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.”
(v. 8) Joseph recognized them - was probably easy.
(v. 8) But they didn’t recognize him. He looked, acted like, sounded like, and dressed like an Egyptian.
Shaved-head, Eye liner, gold collar necklaces, gold arm bands...
(v. 7) And he spoke roughly to them, asking “Where do you come from?
This is the start of an investigation by Joseph, getting a status update of their hearts.
Joseph spoke to them through an interpreter (v. 23), so they didn’t know that he understood everything they said “behind his back” in their own language.
Read along (vv. 9 - 20) - The Game
(v. 9) Then Joseph remembered the dreams which he had dreamed about them -
Undoubtedly thinking - Oh, how the tides have turned.
Joseph knew, as he said when he personally interpreted others dreams, that they are of God.
Joseph will not simply destroy them as he could. Because he had already gone through God’s school of humility and he has been personally transformed by God.
When you’ve realized the true gift you have received, you want others to have it too...and you drop the “tit-for-tat” “you owe me now” shenanigans. Joseph knew,
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
The Lord will use Joseph to give some “tough love” to his brothers...in order to break down their hardened hearts.
(v. 9b) The accusation - You are spies! You have come to see the nakedness of the land!”
(v. 10) They denied it (probably scared for their lives at this point) and seek to give a defense of their true motives.
No, my Lord, but your SERVANTS have come to buy food.
Do you remember, Joseph’s dream, implied they would be his servants.
And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.
So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?”
(v. 11) We are all one man’s sons - that’s accurate because they had (three) different mothers.
(v. 11b) We are honest men - Yet they have lied about Joseph’s death for 20 years to their own father!!
(v. 12) Joseph repeats the generic accusation. To keep them talking.
(v. 13) They elaborate - Your servants have come to buy food.
The sons of one man in Canaan
The youngest is with our father today - that verifies his father is still alive and his brother is still alive
Joseph certainly wondered about both (it’s been 20 years)
And one is no more -
Well that’s a lie (they made him a slave). And now Joseph is simply referred to as “the one who is no more.”
(v. 14) Joseph is not dropping his “accusation.” You are spies!
(v. 15) In this manner you shall be tested - like this is what you’re brought into court for.
Swearing by Pharaoh, Joseph lays out the conditions.
(v. 16) You shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. Benjamin is Joseph’s closest kin...and he desired to see him.
Benjamin would have been about 3 yrs old when Joseph saw him last and would be about 25 yrs old now.
God, through Joseph decides to “shake them up” a little...the original “Scared Straight” program. (v. 17) They don’t know this will only be for three days.
I’m sure they felt doomed. Not knowing this wasn’t for the rest of their life.
The psychology of being imprisoned indefinitely is horrible
These guys were hardened:
Murder with Simeon and Levi
Sexual immorality w/ Reuben
All ten involved in conspiracy to murder/then sell their brother into slavery
Then later, lying to their father about it.
It’s gonna take a jackhammer to soften their hearts.
And the harder our hearts get, the more extreme measures God will take to get our attention.
God may use a:
DUI arrest.
Infidelity.
Near death experience.
An unexpected death or terminal diagnosis
To get our attention.
When looking back, we wouldn’t have our life any other way due to the lessons we learned, the newfound appreciation for our life, or the closeness we got to the Lord through those tough times.
You can’t appreciate the sunshine if it never rains.
Joseph provides an “out” (v. 18) Do this and live - then adds a very important (and shocking) factor for his brothers to consider - for I fear God (elohim)
The Egyptians believed in many Gods. It would have been a shock for him to say this.
(v. 19) The proposed “deal” - leave one of your brothers here, take some grain back home, and (v. 20) come back with your youngest brother...AND YOU SHALL NOT DIE.
They are now beholding to the only source of life, Egypt’s grain, which Joseph is the gateway.
Will they be reluctant?
Or will they trust Joseph?
Read along (vv. 21 -24) - Their Guilt
After being presented with “the deal” that put them into a “lose-lose” situation, they’re very upset, (v. 21) Then they said to one another - Joseph understanding the whole thing (v. 23) they did not know that Joseph understood them
(vv. 21-22) We are truly guilty concerning our brother...Reuben saying, did I not warn you...therefore, his blood is now required of us. - this is the first sign of a confession, directly linking their current “misfortune” to their past sin.
Guilt (is a good thing) should lead to confession. (words)
You’ll never have a chance to heal if you never “felt guilty”
The first step of healing for an alcoholic is to admit they’re an alcoholic.
And confession (words) should lead to repentance (actions)
But confession doesn’t always lead to repentance.
Only saying you’re sorry doesn’t change anything.
The question now is if their actions will match their words.
(v. 24) He turned away from them and wept - as he could finally see them begin to own up to their sin that forced his whole life to come off the tracks. THIS IS A BIG DEAL!!
(v. 24b) When he returned, he took Simeon and bound him - the “hardest” heart...the murderer.
Likely the primary one who was ready to kill Joseph.
God has plans to use these 12 brothers, who ARE collectively, the family of Israel.
He IS GOING to use THEM for His glory.
Therefore, He IS GOING to soften their hearts.
If you’re desire is to be used greatly by God (and it should be), then expect you’re hearts to be softened too!
Read along (vv. 25-38) The Epilogue - How it all plays out.
Joseph provided enough grain to get them by temporarily (he ensured they’ll need more)
(vv. 25-28) After partway back, they discovered that their “money” was in their sack, giving the perception that they never actually paid for this grain....causing yet another dilemma.
God allows this new thorn in their side to haunt them (their hearts failed them and they were afraid), until they finally bring Benjamin back and “make it right.”
They rightly acknowledge, (v. 28) What is this that God has done to us?
To be clear,
God is actually helping them (although they see it currently as hurting)
Do you ever feel that way in the midst of a trial?
Besides the “trials” in your life that you brought on yourself (like the brothers)
Some trials are unrelated to anything you’ve done. (it rains on the just and unjust)
But regardless of the source of the trial, can God use it for good?
Yes, Romans 8:28.
(v. 29) Then they went to Jacob and told him all that had happened to them.
ALL?!?! Really? What about the guilt of their sin against Joseph? That one “little” sin they won’t totally own up to. Nope. NOT ALL!!!
And yet that seemed to be the primary issue...(they’re hiding something)
They still have confession and repentance to do...
But, good for them that, God is willing to hammer out their hard hearts.
He is able
He is patient
He is determined (Phil 1:6)
Same with us.
(vv. 30-35) A retelling of “ALL” that had happened, except for that “one” detail.
(v. 36) Jacob (the man, not Israel ) is disappointed, discouraged, and pessimistic.
Never underestimate the impact of your sin on other people. Look at Jacob’s life. “Going down to his grave in grief” with “Joseph’s death,” now add to that Simeon, and Benjamin.
But Jacob was also wrong...did not God confirm His promise to carry out his Great Promises through His family?
Yet Jacob is focused on his circumstances, not God’s ability to overcome them.
Jacob is Disappointed in his sons - these guys are supposed to be the “mighty” ones of God
Discouraged - the mission was not successful.
Pessimistic - thinking, that “only bad possibilities” about the future.
The modern Christian has the Blessed Hope; the Glorious Return of Christ
Not the “world is falling apart” (although lots of evil is occurring)
But the “world is falling together”
Christians ought to be the Ultimate Optimist
Knowing what’s coming.
(v. 37) Reuben - makes an offer that makes no sense; speaking from his flesh. kill my sons (also Jacob’s offspring) if I don’t return with Simeon?
(v. 38) Jacob will not submit to letting Benjamin go.
That’s fine. God will starve him until he is ready.
Because God loves Jacob enough
Closing
Closing Application
What guilt are you carrying onto?
What area of your life are you not letting Jesus into?
Closing Illustration - Excerpt from My Heart Christ’s Home, by Robert Munger
This person had allowed Jesus into their heart...depicted like a house, which Jesus would slowly go around and check the place out. All the rooms had been checked, but there was on one left.
One day I found Him waiting for me at the door. An arresting look was in His eye. As I entered, He said to me, "There is a peculiar odor in the house. There is something dead around here. It's upstairs. I think it is in the hall closet." As soon as He said this, I knew what He was talking about. Yes, there was a small closet up there on the landing, just a few feet square, and in that closet, behind lock and key, I had one or two little personal things that I did not want anyone to know about and certainly I did not want Christ to see them. I knew they were dead and rotting things left over from the old life. And yet I loved them, and I wanted them so for myself that I was afraid to admit they were there.
Reluctantly, I went up with Him, and as we mounted the stairs the odor became stronger and stronger. He pointed at the door. "It's in there! Some dead thing!"
I was angry. That's the only way I can put it. I had given Him access to the library, the dining room, the living room, the workroom, the playroom, and now He was asking me about a little two-by-four closet. I said to myself, "This is too much. I am not going to give Him the key." ...
... I had to surrender. "I'll give You the key," I said sadly, "but You'll have to open the closet and clean it out. I haven't the strength to do it."
"I know," He said. "I know you haven't. Just give me the key. Just authorize me to take care of that closet and I will." So with trembling fingers I passed the key to Him. He took it from my hand, walked over to the door, opened it, entered it, took out all the putrefying stuff that was rotting there, and threw it away. Then He cleaned the closet and painted it, fixed it up, doing it all in a moment's time. Oh, what victory and release to have that dead thing out of my life!
Urge to Action
If Jesus is not in your heart, the most important thing is to invite Him in…and He will take it from there.
Tozer said, “It’s doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly, until He has hurt him deeply”
For the Christian, You will have great struggles which will lead you to GREAT BLESSINGS!
If you don’t “see it,” than
Widen your focus to look beyond your current hurts, and see the guaranteed GREAT BLESSINGS that are ahead.
Wherever you are in your life tonight…give your heart and your hurts to Him. You won’t be disappointed!
Let’s Pray
Benediction
