Genesis 43 - Turning a Heart
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Opening Statement - Last week we saw how the Tide of power turned from Joseph’s brothers to Joseph.
This week we’ll see the Tide of their hearts begin to Turn for Israel (Jacob) and his 10 sons.
We’ll see that this heart surgery is a process. Not an overnight affair.
Sanctification takes time.
Opening Background
Lloyd Pulley - “At first, this passage seemed like a laborious narrative, but at second glance you can see God working on the hearts of the brothers
God gives this process the correct amount of space in the Scriptures.
This whole situation with Joseph is going to culminate at
But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.
God is still in the beginning phase of softening the hard hearts of all those in the family of Isreal.
As I said last week, if you expect to be used by God, then you need to have a soft heart.
This family will.
Relevance to CCB
Identify within yourself an area where you have a hardened heart.
Perhaps toward a specific person or group.
A past relationship, a political party, or maybe even a former church.
And think of that bitterness, how small or large, as we go through this passage.
Let God provide you some insight on softening your heart...
Could it be that God can actually do something with it?
When He does, it will ultimately make you more effective for Him.
Message
Let’s Pray
Read along (vv. 1 - 14)
(v. 1) The famine was severe. The seven year famine isn’t letting up. This may be halfway through because it took some time for the last two chapters to occur.
(v. 2) When they had eaten up the grain - They waited until the food ran out (just like Joseph knew would happen).
(v. 2) Jacob tells them to go back to Egypt for more food, but he side-steps the whole issue brought up before.
(v. 3) Judah now becomes the spokesperson for the sons. He’s been coming around, transformed since his experience with his first wife, then Tamar (ch. 38).
Judah is the fourth of Leah's, but the first three were basically disqualified for the “birthright”:
Reuben - for sexual incest & disloyalty
And it happened, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine; and Israel heard about it.
Joseph (Son of Rachel) - believed to be "dead"
Then they sent the tunic of many colors, and they brought it to their father and said, “We have found this. Do you know whether it is your son’s tunic or not?” And he recognized it and said, “It is my son’s tunic. A wild beast has devoured him. Without doubt Joseph is torn to pieces.”
Simeon - currently in prison, a murderer with Levi
Now it came to pass on the third day, when they were in pain, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, each took his sword and came boldly upon the city and killed all the males.
Levi - a murderer with Simeon
Judah - after his own downfall and trials with marriage and children (ch. 38), God saved him.
By process of elimination, Judah was next in line for the birthright.
Given his experience with God (with Tamar), Judah seems to be the most humbled brother...who is probably the most in touch with God.
(v. 3) Judah brings the uncomfortable truth back into center-focus...Benjamin
Judah is growing a backbone. Similar to Joseph of Arimathea from Sunday’s passage.
He’s stepping out in courage.
Courage is what’s missing in our country. We have a courage crisis right now. Moral courage is the most necessary yet absent characteristic in men. Aristotle said that courage is the ultimate virtue; without it there are no other virtues. Think about it. If people aren’t courageous you don’t have honesty, you don’t have justice…I want you to commit yourself to a life of courage. Courage is when you don’t know how its going to work out. Courage is committing yourself to the correct course of action regardless of the cost associated to it. (Charlie Kirk)
It takes no skill to be courageous. (Charlie Kirk)
So what are you waiting for?
We can all learn from Judah’s courage by bringing their focus back to the most important topic.
The elephant in the room.
(v. 4) Benjamin needs to come with.
In our case,
You need to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior if you are to live.
What family member or friend can you, just by courage, share the gospel with?
(v. 5) If Benjamin doesn’t come with...we’re not going. (unusual for them to talk to Jacob this sternly)
This is all because Joseph had accused them of being spies.
To prove they are not spies, Benjamin was their proof..
If they are found guilty, that would most likely result in the death penalty.
(v. 6) At this point, interestingly, the name Israel (the Spirit-filled man) starts to be used in place of Jacob (the flesh-filled man).
The last time he went by Israel was Gen 37:13 (six chapters ago)
We see a small glimpse of his faith preceding revival. (Morris)
This might seem insignificant, but the hardest step is the
First step - because it’s a change in direction.
Don’t focus as much on your current distance from God.
Focus more on your direction toward God.
Meanwhile - Jacob complains about his sons “giving away” that they have a brother.
Complaining can be sinful - (cf. GotQuestions, What does the Bible say about complaining?)
I’m guilty.
We need to be more like Paul
I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Israel was still learning to be like this.
(v. 7) The brothers all join in and their response is unified and candid. They highlight the potentially divine power this man had.
(v. 8-9) Judah has a sweet offer. To offer himself in place of the lad, should anything go wrong.
Oddly enough Jesus is from the line of Judah - who will literally offer himself in place of His brothers.
(v. 10) Judah points out that Jacob’s delay has only served to delay the inevitable.
If you have “beef” with God, and you’re not actively working through it with Him now…you are just delaying the inevitable.
“Bad news doesn’t get better with age.”
I think one of the worst things we do to ourselves is hold onto things instead of handling it.
One of the healthiest things you can do - is to let God know how you really feel about the situation...and be totally honest with Him.
Instead of taking out your anger on a person, who, as bad as they might be, are not the source of the problem.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
If you’re blaming a person for your troubles...you’re wrongly assigning blame.
And you also remain in your prison, giving power over you to that person you blame.
“They are the reason I'm in “such-in-such” situation.
Don’t ever forget you’re in a spiritual battle. We’re all in over our heads, because we’re no match for Satan.
And there is only one who can defeat Satan. That is God Almighty (the One who created Satan).
Jacob should invoke God Almighty into His “prison.”
We should invoke God Almighty into our “prison.”
(v. 11) Israel heard enough, Judah’s speech was convincing…
If it must be, then do this…(v. 14b) If I am bereaved, I am bereaved
Some Bible teachers point out that Jacob may be a little Fatalistic here (which is not good faith)
Fatalism - suggests there is a predetermined outcome and “we’ll just have to see how it works out.” Living a fatalistic life discourages free-will and OPTIMISM.
Faith - in Christ and His Scriptures look forward to an OPTIMISTIC outcome.
A good verse to inoculate yourself against fatalism,
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
“God’s not up there in heaven thinking to Himself, “How can I teach this person a lesson they’ll never forget? How can I put them through misery?” (Chuck Smith)
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.
God thinks good thoughts toward you. He thinks more about you then you’ll ever know.
Chuck Smith also said, “God can’t get you out of His mind. He thinks of you constantly. Because He loves you”
Jacob will now use his free-will to determine to make the best possible impression on this crazy Egyptian man.
(v. 11) Take some of the best fruits of the land…a little balm, honey, spices, and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds -
These items were similar to the items on the slave caravan passing through Dothan that they sold Joseph to.
These items were not available in Egypt
So they would have been valuable
They would have proven they were from Canaan like they said before (good faith they are not spies)
They would have been unavailable to Joseph for 20+ years.
There is nothing better then the best food from your hometown.
It would have also shown that, although they are in a famine, they were willing to part with their limited reserves of food to provide as a gift for “good faith” (to show they were serious)
I think it says a lot when you are willing to give, even when you don’t have plenty.
We may think that we can’t give until we have more to give.
Like the lady with only two mites, how she gave more than all the others, because of how little she had.
Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”
Ya’ll, when we get to heaven…I want to check out her mansion!!
And Israel has them bring “double their money” - because they were given their money back (unbeknownst to them) the last time, plus the same amount to buy grain this time.
Interesting that “double” their money was 10, and now 20 “bundles” of money (we don’t know how much), but do you remember how much Joseph was sold for as a slave?
20 Shekels of silver (Gen 37:28)
Probably worth around a few hundred bucks in today’s value.
Now they bring to Joseph, 20 bundles of money?
Surely worth much more than 20 shekels of silver.
(v. 14) Israel calls upon God Almighty (El Shaddai, all-powerful God) to watch over them.
I love that!
Do what you can to help resolve your crisis, but ultimately you have no power without God’s hand on the situation.
Call on God Almighty. Let God be God.
Don’t tell God how to fix your situation anymore.
Let Him inform you, what you should be doing differently instead of the other way around.
(v. 14b) Israel is specific in his requests to God -
that he may release your other brother (Simeon)
and Benjamin
Read along (vv. 15 - 23)
(v. 15) They actually do it, they go! Funny how only one verse is dedicated to the couple weeks of travel.
Gotta wonder how that trip went.
Probably a bit tense.
(v. 16) Seeing Benjamin is what caused Joseph to be moved to have them over for a very special meal.
(v. 17) Joseph’s (Egyptian) servant did exactly as Joseph asked.
(v. 18) Now the men were afraid - Joseph’s brothers are now mortified.
Expecting to be charged with “theft” since they left with the same money they came to pay with.
After their last experience of being accused as spies…it would seem perfectly natural to be fearful.
With Simeon left as collateral in prison.
With all the other threats made…
(vv. 19-22) They immediately disclose their concerns as soon as they approach the steward.
Honesty is the best policy.
These guys are being sanctified (holy/set apart). They’re learning how to be honest.
(v. 23) The steward put them at ease…and said Peace be with you, do not be afraid.
Now, if someone I was already suspect of, this would make me even more nervous.
But then….
(v. 23) Your God (elohim) and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks
This is coming from the Egyptian steward. Most likely the steward had become a believer in Joseph’s God…the True and Living God.
Much like we see when Daniel was exiled to Babylon.
And this would have resonated deeply with the brothers.
I think that this would have begun to really put them at ease.
When you can look at your situation and say… “this can’t be explained any other way…this is a ‘God thing’”
Furthermore - I had your money. - You don’t owe me anything.
And - most significant, (v. 23b) Then he brought Simeon out to them.
Read along (vv. 24 - 34) Royal Treatment and a Royal Test
(v. 24) They were brought into Joseph’s house, given water, washed their feet, gave their donkeys feed
Really given the royal treatment.
Even more of a pleasant surprise when you consider how they expected to be treated.
(vv. 25-26) After all that special treatment…Joseph’s entrance surely would have been more grand.
And they of course treat Joseph like royalty…bowing down to him once again (this time Benjamin too)
Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, “Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.”
All eleven “stars” (brothers)
(v. 27) Joseph (still acting like an Egyptian) asks about “their” father.
(v. 28) Their answer was surely heartwarming for Joseph to hear - he’s doing great
Then they bowed their heads down and prostrated (to bow down, pay homage, submit) themselves.
These guys are being sanctified (holy/set apart). They’re learning how to be humble.
(v. 29) Joseph asks about Benjamin - whom he hasn’t seen since he was a toddler (Joseph was 17).
Benjamin is Joseph’s only “full” brother.
Joseph pronounces a blessing on Benjamin (Elohim be gracious to you my son).
(v. 30) This made Joseph emotional, so he had to leave to hide his crying, in private.
What other witnesses were around to record that Joseph was crying? None.
Meaning, Joseph at a later time disclosed that he (the #2 most powerful man in Egypt) was crying. An admission of brokenness even when you’re in “control.” It’s okay.
#1 - Joseph doesn’t hide it. It makes Scripture.
#2 - God knows when you cry. He cares.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
(v. 31) He washed his face - probably because his eye liner is running now (weird!?!)
He came out and announce the dinner to be served.
(v. 32) He sat alone because he wasn’t Egyptian and they were not permitted to eat with the Jews
(v. 33) And Joseph had them sit in order of their birthrights.
And the men looked in astonishment at one another - Ya think. 11 brothers - in order?
The joint probably of a continuous “random” order - 11! (factorial) = 1/11! = 11*10*9*8*7*6*5*4*3*2*1 = 39,916,800 or 1 in 40 million
These guys are being sanctified. They’re learning how to be in awe of God.
The Royal Test
(v. 34) Then he took servings to them, but Benjamins serving was five times as much as any of theirs.
Remember when Joseph was the “favorite” and his brother’s reactions?
They almost killed him.
How will they treat their brother Benjamin when he is clearly treated as favorite?
The same way? Have they changed?
Joseph is studying their hearts.
Can they be happy for someone else’s good fortune/blessing?
Can you be happy for someone else’s good fortune?
These guys are being sanctified. They’re learning how to rejoice with those who rejoice. (Rom 12:15)
(v. 34b) So they drank and were merry with him.
The Egyptians were known to drink beer (vs. wine) that the Jew’s had.
There is no indication the brothers were jealous of Benjamin.
The brothers have been changing:
From Mortified to Merry
From Fearful to Faithful
From a hard heart to a soft heart
Closing
Closing Application
God has been using this situation to build the character of His future nation.
These guys don’t know the rest of Genesis...but they will find out that “God was working all this out for the good.”
Your trial also has God working behind the scenes.
Don’t be so fatalistic. Be an optimist. Expect goodness to be the result of your faith.
You don’t see the rest of your book either. But you will find out that God was working all “this” out for the good.
God brought Jesus Christ out of Israel, as He promised.
God also promised that He will finish the good work in you too, which He started (Phil 1:6)
Let’s Pray
