Week 5

Good morning everyone, today we are continuing on in our series on Joseph. We have reached a point in the story of Joseph that we really need to look at a lot of scripture to see how the story unfolds. So, instead of reading almost 4 chapters together, I’m going to put on my storyteller hat, summarize some of what happens, but then draw our attention to specific parts of the story.

Reminder on where Joseph has been so far, hated by brothers, sold to slavery, slave to Potiphar, prisoner for years, and now he is leading Egypt and the world through a terrible famine.

Prayer

ACT 1: FAMINE IN CANAAN (GEN 42:1-5)

The beginning of the end of the story between Joseph and his brothers centers around the famine that is sweeping across the land. The famine has reached the land of Canaan and Jacob sends his sons, except for Benjamin, out on a mission to go to Egypt and buy some food. So ten of the brothers set off for Egypt so that they can get some food and survive. Already, we can begin to see that God is at work in all of this. God uses this famine to bring this family together, to feel the weight of what they have done wrong, and ultimately to show grace towards one another despite what has happened between them.

Something as simple as a famine - seemingly unrelated to their spiritual and moral lives - was being used as God's instrument for justice and ultimately, grace.

ACT 2: GUILT IN EGYPT (GEN 42:6-28)

The brothers make their way to Egypt and go before Joseph. As soon as Joseph sees them he recognizes them, but they are oblivious as to who they are talking to. Joseph questions them on their family, where they are from, and ends up responding harshly to them in this initial encounter. He accuses them of being spies and coming to see where Egypt’s weaknesses are so that they can attack. Josephs decides that they will all go in prison, one brother will be sent home and must return with the youngest brother, Benjamin.

After three days though, Joseph changes his mind. Instead of keeping them all and sending one back, he releases them all except one. As Joseph is telling them this they have a side conversation amongst themselves. We can read this in

Genesis 42:21–24 NIV

They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come on us.” Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.” They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter. He turned away from them and began to weep, but then came back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes.

Here the brothers finally begin to think about that brother that they used to hate years and years ago. They begin to think that the trouble this “Egyptian” is causing them is because of what they did to Joseph. And while they are having the conversation, Joseph learns new information about that day as well. He learns that Reuben did try to save him, but that the others decided to sell him into slavery.

As they are thinking about who they are going to leave behind, surely they are reminded of the brother that they left behind so many years ago. Throughout this interaction, the brothers sense of guilt is just continuing to grow along with their fear.

ACT 3: FEAR IN CANAAN (GEN 42:29 - 43:15)

The ten brothers returned to Canaan with one brother less, but that was not all. On their way back, the found their money in their sacks (in fact, twice) (Gen 41:26,35). What was going on, they must have thought? Would Simeon be safe? With this new development, they had to retell the entire account to Jacob. What is unmistakable too in their account is how they kept emphasizing that "one is no more". Their guilt for what happened with Joseph is evident.

Jacob is not blind to his sons’ fault (Gen 41:36) and is clearly upset (Gen 41:38). He is crushed that having lost Joseph, he has yet lost Simeon to Egypt. The old man's heart is crushed. Yet, because he does not want to lose Benjamin, his final son by Rachel, he is unwilling to let Benjamin return. His reasoning goes this way: having lost Joseph and Simeon, if I give up Benjamin too, and something happens to him - I will die. Worse - if we can't guarantee the safe return of Simeon, then all 9 plus Benjamin will be lost to me - then ALL my sons will be lost in Egypt.

Yet, despite how much Jacob doesn’t want to do this, he eventually relents because the famine is so bad and they run out of food once again.

ACT 4: GRACE IN EGYPT (GEN 43:16-44:2)

As we move into Genesis 43, we see Judah convince Jacob to send Benjamin back to Egypt with them. In Genesis 43:14 we read that Jacob knows that if God does not show mercy, he will lose all of his sons.

Genesis 43:14 NIV

And may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”

And it is here that we begin to see how this passage points us, foreshadows, the gospel of Jesus. Notice that Jacob just desires mercy from this leader in Egypt. Mercy means that we do not receive what we deserve. Keep this in mind as we continue through the story.

So the brothers arrive back in Egypt and they are met with quite a welcome. They are taken to Joseph’s house and even though they are apprehensive about what is happening, they eventually realize that they are there to have a meal. They mention that they brought the money back that they had after their first trip, but they are told not to worry about it, that it is a gift from God.

When Joseph finally arrives he questions them on the state of their father and also sees Benjamin. When Joseph sees Benjamin he breaks down once again just as he had in their first visit. Joseph quickly leaves them and has this moment of crying, but then returns and has a meal with them. One interesting thing about the meal is that Joseph uses it as a sort of test for the brothers. They are all seated according to their age and even though they all get plenty of food, Benjamin gets 5 times the amount of anyone else. Joseph wants to see if they would treat Benjamin like they used to treat him. But nothing ends up happening, they all eat together and it turns out to be a good time.

Here we begin to see the difference between mercy and grace. These brothers were simply hoping for mercy, to not receive punishment for having the money from the first visit. But here, they are shown the beginnings of grace. They are given a warm welcome by Joseph and are given what they don’t even deserve in this meal.

ACT 5.1: FRAMED ALONG THE WAY (GEN 44:3-13)

On their way back to Canaan, they received word that one of them had Joseph's silver cup. Joseph had launched the ultimate test, and he wanted to see how his brothers would they treat each other. This was a test of their understanding of mercy and grace. How would they respond after being shown mercy and grace?

This is what Jesus teaches in the NT, in the parable of forgiven servant - that the evidence of our true understanding of the gospel of mercy and grace is how we treat one another. How will we respond to others when we have received so much? How will we sacrifice for them? How will we suffer with and for them? These are indicators that we truly understand the gospel.

And this becomes all the more evident when the cup is found in Benjamin's possession. Joseph is testing their love for Benjamin and for their father to see if they have indeed repented and changed. The brothers are of course, utterly horrified when they see the cup and without any word of protest, they return to Egypt, mourning and weeping.

ACT 5.2: GOSPEL IN EGYPT (GEN 44:14-45:14)

When confronted, Judah is the first to speak. And his speech is resigned and humbled - the words of apology.

Genesis 44:14–34 NIV

14 Joseph was still in the house when Judah and his brothers came in, and they threw themselves to the ground before him. 15 Joseph said to them, “What is this you have done? Don’t you know that a man like me can find things out by divination?” 16 “What can we say to my lord?” Judah replied. “What can we say? How can we prove our innocence? God has uncovered your servants’ guilt. We are now my lord’s slaves—we ourselves and the one who was found to have the cup.” 17 But Joseph said, “Far be it from me to do such a thing! Only the man who was found to have the cup will become my slave. The rest of you, go back to your father in peace.” 18 Then Judah went up to him and said: “Pardon your servant, my lord, let me speak a word to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, though you are equal to Pharaoh himself. 19 My lord asked his servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’ 20 And we answered, ‘We have an aged father, and there is a young son born to him in his old age. His brother is dead, and he is the only one of his mother’s sons left, and his father loves him.’ 21 “Then you said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me so I can see him for myself.’ 22 And we said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father; if he leaves him, his father will die.’ 23 But you told your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you will not see my face again.’ 24 When we went back to your servant my father, we told him what my lord had said. 25 “Then our father said, ‘Go back and buy a little more food.’ 26 But we said, ‘We cannot go down. Only if our youngest brother is with us will we go. We cannot see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.’ 27 “Your servant my father said to us, ‘You know that my wife bore me two sons. 28 One of them went away from me, and I said, “He has surely been torn to pieces.” And I have not seen him since. 29 If you take this one from me too and harm comes to him, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in misery.’ 30 “So now, if the boy is not with us when I go back to your servant my father, and if my father, whose life is closely bound up with the boy’s life, 31 sees that the boy isn’t there, he will die. Your servants will bring the gray head of our father down to the grave in sorrow. 32 Your servant guaranteed the boy’s safety to my father. I said, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, I will bear the blame before you, my father, all my life!’ 33 “Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. 34 How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery that would come on my father.”

Significantly, note that Judah's mind again goes to the sin of betrayal of Joseph and God's judgment. He references the sin that has been found out, and in a truly broken repentance, he confesses his sin. He says that they knew that God had seen what they did years ago, and perhaps this was really their reckoning.

But Joseph makes his test even more intense. He only wants the one who took the cup. As readers, we can feel the tension in the story. How would they respond? Would the brothers who had abused Joseph years ago now make the same mistake with Benjamin. Judah responds with verse 33, passionately trading and substituting himself for Benjamin. What a difference from the violent, incestuous man from chapters before! In Judah's plea for mercy, he offers himself as a substitute for Benjamin. In doing so, he shows Joseph true repentance and change. He shows him a broken, humbled heart, offering to be Benjamin's replacement - for the sake of love of his brother and for his father.

Application #1

People can change through the power of God. Judah changed dramatically over these years. He was the one who prompted them to sell Joseph, yet here he is placing himself before Benjamin.

Sometimes we don’t want to believe that people can change, and if that is how we act then it doesn’t line up with the Gospel.

Application #2

Do you demonstrate mercy AND grace towards others?

Joseph had wanted to test them, but let us also consider how in the same way, we face the test of our understanding of mercy and grace.

Our actions and response to situations reveal our understanding.

Whether or not we live selfishly, or whether we serve others shows our understanding of the gospel.

Whether we are willing to suffer in the place of others shows our understanding of the gospel.