INTRODUCTION
In keeping with God’s eternal
plan, the book of Genesis anticipates in Gen.
12:1,2 that God would make the family of Abraham into a great
nation. And in Gen. 15:13,14 it is anticipated
that this nation, called Israel would providentially land up in Egypt
– because of a drought, and to survive that drought. The story of Joseph (beginning
in Genesis 37) is the beginning and
fulfilment of that prophecy. The book of the Exodus is the story of that nation
as they flee Egypt in order that they
may enter the promised land in fulfilment of Gen. 12.
Joseph will be God’s catalyst to Israel’s survival. You know the story. He is the second youngest
of 12 brothers, and he is not well loved by his brothers. One day, when he
visits them in the pasturelands, they decide to get rid of him, selling him to
some traders, who sell him to an Egyptian official. He does well there. He is a
trusted servant, but the official’s wife gets him into trouble and he lands in
jail. In Genesis 40/41 his life
takes a drastic turn through a God given ability to interpret dreams, and half
way through Chapter 41 we see him rise from prison to prime minister of Egypt! At
face value this sounds like a true fairy tale with a happy ending, except that
this story is SO much bigger than Joseph or anyone could understand. This is God’s BIG story of deliverance and
redemption of His chosen people and it stretches across many generations.
Thankfully we are given the big picture – the rest of the story as God’s
redemptive plan unfolds over many, many generation, ending with His
Re-creation- a new heaven and a new earth.
As we look at this text our primary interest is always this:
What are we learning here about God?
What is God doing NOW as we read this passage?
What are we learning here about His dealings with us and this world which He has created?
Last time (21/11/2021) we saw how God, always in charge and always overruling, used a famine in His providence to bring Joseph to Egypt. We always tend to think of famines and the like as ‘natural’ disasters. The Bible doesn’t. When Joseph informs Pharaoh about the drought, this is what he says: “God has revealed to Pharaoh what He is about to do!” (41:25).Every natural disaster is a reminder from God that we are not in control.
And now back to Joseph’s family
Joseph is in Egypt, and as yet his family is completely unaware of his lot, as they now also make their way to Egypt because of this famine. Chapter
43 & 44 sees them going back to Egypt as we see the keeping power,
the providential and steady hand of the God of Israel on their lives. This too is written for our
comfort.
OUTLINE
1.
43:1-10
Dilemma
2.
43:11-14 Resignation
3. 43:15-34
The scary road into an unknown
future
1. 43:1-10 Dilemma
“Now the famine was severe in the land”. Famine ... a repeated theme. Things are serious. The family’s food supply is running low. Having been to
Egypt before to purchase food, Simeon was being held captive
by Joseph (who had recognised them) until they should return with their youngest brother, as proof that
they were not spies. We see the brothers, especially Reuben (42:37)
and Judah (43:3,8) plead with their father, to take Benjamin the youngest to Egypt at Joseph’s insistence (cf. 42:20).
In 43:1-5 Judah is the spokesman. They cannot go back to Egypt unless they bring their youngest brother. Jacob clearly does not trust his sons. Whenever he sends them, someone doesn’t come back. First Joseph, then Simeon, and now Benjamin? In 43:8,9 Judah pledges himself as surety for the protection of Benjamin. What a picture. In future there will be One from the tribe of Judah who will give His life in pledge for ours!
The sheer need eventually overrides Jacob’s stubborn refusal to send Benjamin. Behind the scenes is the hand of God who directs Joseph, who is now the prime minister of Egypt. Joseph is in turmoil. Behind him is his deep suffering at the hand of his brothers, and before him is a real longing for his family. Genesis 42 shows us that Joseph was not destined for a comfortable retirement in Egypt.
What will happen?
2. 43: 11-14 Resignation
Our extremities are God’s opportunities. Jacob must let go. And to his credit he does! After giving his fatherly talk in 43:11-13, consisting of three points, (i) take some gifts from the land (ii) take double the money that was returned to you (iii) take your brother, he surrenders his family to an uncertain future in his mind, but thankfully it is not uncertain in God’s mind. This is the question that we always struggle with: Is God really with us in this? The required response is always this: Have faith in God. Trust Him.
We see now that ultimately his trust is in God (43:14): “May God Almighty (cf. Gen. 17:1) El Shaddai, grant you mercy
(favour/ compassion) before the man”. And
may he send back your other brother and
Benjamin. And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.”
The last sentence indicates that Jacob has resigned himself to an outcome that
is in God’s hands alone. This is no small thing! Remember what is at stake. The
future of God’s covenant people is at stake as he sends all his sons to Egypt.
This is a test of faith, but thankfully, faith in God is not irrational.
3.
43:15-34
The scary road into an unknown future
The eleven brothers meet with Joseph again, and despite his strange and sometimes hostile behaviour,
they receive a surprisingly lavish hospitality from him.
Joseph is moved at the sight of his brother Benjamin (43:16,29-30). He literally melts with tears as his compassion grew warm for his brother.
Joseph meets his brothers with extraordinary hospitality (43:16-34).
The brothers are surprised by his lavish
welcome, but it actually produces fear in them. They were afraid
(43:18) and the fear relates to the money
that was returned in our sacks. Remember, they haven't done anything wrong
here, BUT remember that these brothers have done much wrong in the past. They cheated on their dad
many times. And Joseph tattletaled on them. And then they did the worst thing imaginable. They got rid of Joseph and told their dad that he was torn by wild
beasts. They live with a guilty conscience, and a
guilty conscience can be over sensitive, and overly suspicious, even when received with kindness. At this stage
Joseph is literally killing them with kindness. They are not comfortable. The
conscience cannot be erased. It keeps in mind the past history of our sins, whether of thought, word or deed, and
it may remind us of them at any time. John Bunyan in his allegory “ The Holy war” gives conscience the name of Mr Recorder.[1]
And so it is. The conscience keeps a record.
In 43:19-25, they approach Joseph's household manager. They tell the story about how the money was accidentally given back to them and
they obviously want to give the money back. And once again, they are surprised
by kindness. The household steward tells them that he had received their money, and he maintains, ”Your God and the God of your fathers, has put treasure in your sacks…” . And so, again they are treated lavishly by their
brother who actually knows all about them, and who could now
enjoy his payback time. But no- there are no such thoughts or actions expressed here! Even their animals are cared for (43:24)
They prepared to bring their gifts to Joseph as they are invited for lunch at noon (43:25).
But now, please notice a very important fulfilment of Joseph’s dream in Chapter 37. In 43:26,28
and 44:14 we find them bowing down three times, reminding us of the
fulfilment of God's revelation to Joseph more than 20 years ago. That dream back then caused them to be jealous of him, though
his father kept the saying in mind (37:11). In keeping with that dream then, we find the fulfilment God's earlier revelation is coming true and
here the eleven brothers all bow down before their brother Joseph.
Instead of jumping up and triumphantly shouting, “I told you so!”, we find in 43:27-34 that Joseph considerately enquires about their welfare and their
father’s welfare, but when his eyes meet that of Benjamin, “his mother's son”, he
melts. God is doing a miracle here. He
is giving Joseph capacity beyond
himself. Oh, how marvellous is the life of grace in the ruined soul.
CONCLUSION
Despite Jacob's fears, despite the brother's fears their path into the future is under
God’s direction. Therefore the future is always promising. Make no mistake- their paths will lead through many dangers toils and snares. but it is promising, because God is always in
charge of His people’s future. His grace is always sufficient for every situation. It is sufficient for Jacob, the brothers, for Joseph and for you! In every situation !
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