The Prayer of a Petty Man Avails Much

Does God answer our prayers?

1 John 5:14-15 “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”

So is there a way to get a guaranteed positive response from God? Yes, by praying according to His will and His timing. The problem is that we do not always know His will and timing, and therefor much of our prayers surround our efforts to determine those very things.

In 1 Samuel when Hannah prayed for a baby God answered yes, why? Because it was His will that she have a baby.

In John 11 Mary and Martha asked Jesus to heal their dying brother Lazarus and Jesus allowed him to die, why? Because it was God’s will for Lazarus to die.

Perhaps we have been asking the wrong question concerning prayer. We are all too concerned with what God does with our prayers, but we rarely question if we are qualified to approach God in such a manner.

Am I qualified to pray?

Do I have to be free from sin in order to pray correctly?

Will God hear my prayer if I am dealing with active sin in my life? - Not so much in God’s ability or willingness to hear you, but it will certainly cause you to pray outside of His will.

When we are walking with Christ the Holy Spirit intercedes in our prayers guaranteeing that we pray according to God’s will and plan. However, when we allow sin to reign we rest control away from the Spirit and pray according to our will and plan. One final thing to remember is that there is a difference between daily dealing with those sins that easily beset us and actively embracing sin.

First and foremost remember that prayer is enabled by grace. Thus, prayer is not something earned or rewarded, but freely given to those who know Christ. Perfection is not a prerequisite of prayer.

In Genesis 43 we have an example of a very imperfect man who prayed with even questionable motivation, but because his prayer was according to the will of God he recieved exactly what he prayed for.

MPT: God answers Jacob’s prayer not because of Jacob’s worthiness, but to accomplish His plan according to His promises and character.

MPS: The way that God chooses to answer your prayers is not determined by your worthiness. (Sin does affect your prayer life.)

The Prayer Offered

Jacob Gives Up (v. 1, 2)

Famine Reminder: “the famine was severe in the land” We the readers know that this famine will last for seven years, but it doubtful that Jacob and his family knew that. (v. 1)

As Jacob feared would happen the food that his sons brought back from Egypt was dwindling with no end to the famine in sight. (v. 2)

Jacob finally gives up his hold out and tells them to go back to Egypt to buy more food. “Buy us a little food.” It feels like Jacob is implying his belief that the famine must be almost over and we just need a little more food to get by. (v. 2)

We the readers should have a significant question here, why haven’t they left already?

Judah Steps Up (v. 3-10)

Judah reminds us of the requirement that Joseph had made of them. “Don’t come back without your youngest brother.” (v. 3)

Judah confronts Jacob, “we wont go down unless you send Benjamin with us.” (v. 4, 5)

Jacob breaks down (v. 6)

“why did you tell him you had another brother?”

Jacob acts as thou his sons betrayed him by revealing this information.

Judah defends their actions (v. 7)

He asked us specific questions about our family.

How were we supposed to know what he would say and require?

Judah promises to protect Benjamin (v. 8,9)

We have to go, we sill starve otherwise (v.8)

I will guarantee his safety - we don’t really know what Judah is offering

His life for Benjamin

His inheritance

Judah scolds Jacob (v. 10)

If you would have let us go we could have been back by now.

Perhaps Judah is implying, we could have been back with Simeon by now.

This is the second significant shift we see in character of Judah.

He was the one who suggested that they sell Joseph into slavery.

He was the one who slept with his daughter in law because he thought she was a prostitute.

But now he is the one who is willing to risk his own wellbeing for the sake of his brother and the rest of his family.

Jacob Gives In (v. 11-15)

A Present to Appease (v. 11-13)

You can’t go empty handed.

There is probably a cultural element at play here. Jacob did the same thing to try and appease Esau years earlier.

We are probably meant to see a touch of irony concerning the gift that the brothers plan to bring to Joseph, because many of the things they bring as gifts were the very things that Ishmaelites, to whom Joseph was sold, were carrying to Egypt. (v. 11)

Take double the money and pay for the food we took last time and the food we need now. Maybe it was a mistake. (v. 12) - Illustration: when a store undercharges you for something.

And… take Benjamin too. (v. 13) He said this last like he had to work up to it.

A Prayer to Entreat (v. 14)

Address: “God Almighty”

El Shaddai

“El Shaddai is the God who so constrains nature that it does His will, and so subdues it that it bows to and subserves grace”

Request: Mercy

That God would show them mercy through the man

The idea is that Joseph would be compassionate.

Specifics

To send Simeon back

And keep Benjamin safe.

Motive

As for me, if I am bereaved I am bereaved.

Jacob still seems to be unduly focused on himself.

The Prayer Answered - Part 1

The Journey to Joseph (v. 15)

The Unexpected Invitation (v. 16-18)

Joseph invites them over for lunch. (v. 16)

This must have been very confusing for the brothers. Last time we were here he called us spies.

The brothers again allow their guilt to cause them to assume the worst (v. 18) - I do think it is funny how concerned they were about their donkeys. “They are going to enslave us! and take our donkeys too!”

The Desperate Inquiry (v. 19-25)

An Explanation (v. 19-22)

There is a little reminder how far Joseph has come. In Potiphar’s house he was the steward now he owns the house. I wonder if Potiphar’s wife was concerned about the power that Joseph now wielded.

They attempt to explain to the steward of Joseph’s house what happened concerning the money that they owe Joseph.

Even to them it sounds like a far fetched story.

A Consolation (v. 23-25)

The steward consoles them with these words ““Peace be with you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money.”

As far as we are concerned the books have been balanced and you don’t owe us anything. It appears that the steward is privy to and a part of Joseph’s plan.

Whether or not Joseph’s steward served the God of Joseph we will never know, but whether on purpose or unwittingly he declares to the brothers a powerful truth.

“God has given you your money back.”

True, he may have just been trying to direct the brothers off the track of what actually happened, but nevertheless his statement is true because God’s plans are often worked out through human agents. That is often what providence turns out to be.

Thus, at least in part we see Jacob’s prayer being answered. The issue of the money has been resolved and greatly in their favor, and Simeon has been returned.

The Prayer Answered - Part 2

Joseph’s Primary Concern (v. 26-29)

Joseph’s dreams are partially fulfilled again in verse 26, but not completely because his father has not yet bowed before Joseph.

Rather than focusing on their gifts Joseph asks about their father. For all his mistakes Joseph still loves his dad. (v. 27)

They respond in the affirmative and bow yet again. (v. 28)

Joseph then lays eyes on his little brother, Benjamin, his only full brother.

Once again we see Jacob’s prayer being answered

The money issue has been resolved

Simeon has been returned.

And Joseph publically blesses Benjamin.

Joseph’s Emotional Outburst (v. 30, 31)

Joseph’s heart yearned for his brother.

More than anything Joseph must have wanted to embrace Benjamin.

So for a second time Joseph must leave the presence of his brothers to weep.

Then when he composed himself he comes back in and the meal begins.

Joseph’s Continued Test (v. 32-34)

So far the brothers are doing well in Joseph’s tests.

They come back for Simeon, even though it took longer than it should have.

They offer the money back

And they bring Benjamin proving he was alive and well.

But the testing is not done.

Joseph gives to Benjamin a portion at the meal 5 times greater than the brothers.

Joseph knows that when he was young the brothers would have responded with jealousy, but what do they do here?

“And they drank and were merry with him.” No hint of jealousy at all.

But the greatest test is yet to come.

Does God answer the prayers of imperfect people?

The greatest most content place you can be in this life is when you mold your desires to be in tandem with God’s will.