Studies in Genesis

Studies in Genesis Presentation 64

What God Has Done Gen 45v14-28 Presentation 64

Introduction From time to time holidaymakers are bombarded by a proliferation of signs on particular tourist routes. Clearly the event organisers want to make sure that potential customers don’t miss out on an exciting attraction. Something similar is happening in the story of Joseph. As we move from one scene to another there are a series of signposts which all carry the same heading. They read; 'See what God has done!' See what God has done! Presentation 64

God’s Use of Loneliness We have before us a very interesting insight into the emotional life of Joseph in v14-15. The desperate isolation and loneliness of Joseph, during his stay in Egypt, comes to the surface. Loneliness is not simply produced by physical separation. George Eliot once asked: ‘What loneliness is more lonely than distrust?' Distrust heightened Joseph’s loneliness. His brother’s treachery that led to his slavery severed all bonds of trust. But now his brothers were not only physically reunited with him they had clearly proved themselves trustworthy. Presentation 64

God’s Use of Loneliness Joseph's loneliness had not been dispelled by promotion, wealth, or even by a wife and family. We must not assume that if someone is at the pinnacle of their profession and are apparently well provided for, then all their emotional needs are catered for. Late in life, the famous scientist, Albert Einstein penned these words: ‘It is strange to be known universally and yet be so lonely’. The anguish and isolation of twenty long years breaks through Joseph’s defences and he weeps over his brethren. Presentation 64

God’s Use of Loneliness Loneliness is never negative if it intensifies our prayer life. Read Paul's epistles and you will discover the way in which his aloneness shaped his prayer. When was Jesus most aware of aloneness? In Gethsemene - and with what intensity did he then pray! One of the very remarkable things about the Joseph narrative is that we do not read of him at prayer, unlike the narratives of Abraham, Isaac: and Jacob. But who would suggest that Joseph did not have a prayer life. I believe that his loneliness produced a man who prayed without ceasing. Presentation 64

Joseph’s Love What is even more remarkable is that despite his own very real need, Joseph immediately ministers to the needs of his brothers. Here is a man with a tremendous capacity to love! When people have been treated as badly as Joseph was, they often allow the injustice of their treatment to gnaw away at their minds and hearts and that does something to their emotions. Resentment is a powerful and self-destructive irritant in our human make up. Thomas Hood observed: ‘An irritable person is like a hedgehog rolled up the wrong way, tormenting himself with his own prickles’. Presentation 64

Joseph’s Love Often such people become increasingly unable to love. Some become ice-men and women, determined that their emotions will not thaw. They are intent that no one should hurt them again. Others respond to failed relationships with unabated anger, intent to do all in their power to execute revenge. If you build a wall of resentment against another, you close the door through which God can come to you. Presentation 64

Joseph’s Love A novel by Alexandre Dumas entitled, 'The Count of Monte Cristo' tells the story of a man falsely accused and unjustly imprisoned. The readers sympathies are drawn to the principal character who escapes, uncovers a vast fortune and assumes the title of Count of Monte Cristo. He then embarks on a strategy of revenge. He is a driven man, who plots to destroy the architects of his past misery but the whole exercise borders on his self-destruction. Joseph too was a driven man but he is driven by love and not revenge Presentation 64

Joseph’s Love We understand Joseph's love of Benjamin his younger full brother who had no hand in his misery but note 'he wept over all his brothers and kissed all of them'v15. Joseph refused to allow the past to sour his emotions. He kept himself from developing a vengeful spirit by sheltering in God. He reveals a 'love fused to grace‘. It reflects God’s love which forgives and says, 'I will remember your sins no more‘ Isa 43.25. God’s forgiveness is not narrow but full free, bottomless, boundless, absolute. It does not Attempt to find ways to remind us of our past sins. It is this quality of loving forgiveness that Joseph display’s here. Presentation 64

Joseph’s Love One of the finest preachers of the early church was a man called John Chrysostom. He became Bishop of Constantinople in 398 A.D. and his preaching was so bold and unambiguous in his denunciation of sin that the Empress Eudoxia demanded his exile. On two occasions, he was driven out of the city and removed from his office and ministry. He subsequently said; “Nothing causes us to so nearly resemble God as the forgiveness of injuries”. This is the forgiveness of Christ expressed in the heart of a man. You can't say that and mean it, unless the Spirit of Christ is resident in your heart, unless love has been fused to grace. Presentation 64

Joseph’s Love Luther compares the quality of the forgiveness shown by Joseph in v14ff with Jacob's deathbed scene, where he clearly has not forgotten or truly forgiven his children's former crimes cf Gen 49.57. How does God look on our past? Thankfully not as Jacob but as Joseph. We encounter in him a love fused to grace, a love that forgives and forgets. Presentation 64

Joseph’s Love In v15 we read, 'Afterwards his brothers talked with him'. We know that Joseph was eager to be quickly reunited with his father yet this personal yearning is laid aside to allow an in-depth conversation with his brothers. They needed the on-going reassurance of his love and forgiveness. This would continue to be their great need for years to come. Joseph spent time with them! After his resurrection Jesus did not immediately ascend into heaven but spent 40 days with his disciples. Among other things those who had deserted him at the time of his arrest were also in need of reassurance. Presentation 64

Joseph’s Love This was particularly true in Peter’ case. He had written himself of as a useful disciple. Jn. 21.3 suggests he was ready to quit his apostolic office and return to his former trade. Jesus spent time to reassure him not only of his forgiveness but of his value to the work of God. Have there been times when you feel you have let Jesus down and been left broken-hearted and devastated? You do not trust yourself to engage in any form of Christian service again. Then Jesus draws near and ministers through his Word reassuring you of his forgiveness and of a place in his future. Presentation 64

Joseph’s Love Joseph was a shrewd judge of character and tells his brothers 'don't quarrel on the way [home]'v24. Despite recognising that God had made them new men, he realised that they were going to have to explain Joseph's appearance in Egypt to their father. That would mean confessing the whole sordid tale of their deception. Would they blame one another? Reuban would say he planned to rescue Joseph. Judah that to sell him was better than to kill him. And so Joseph says, 'don't quarrel on the way'. He was saying, “live like the new men God has made you!”. Presentation 64

What God Did For Joseph’s Family Pharaoh could have seen the arrival of Joseph's brothers as a challenge to Joseph's loyalty. But there is no evidence of petty jealousy. Quite the reverse. There is the promise of blessing in v17-18.... Goshen, where Joseph's family eventually settled was the most fertile part of Egypt. It is difficult not to make some comparison between the way in which these erring brothers were blessed for Joseph's sake and the way in which the forgiven and redeemed children of God have been blessed for Christ’s sake. Presentation 64

What God Did For Joseph’s Family Pharaoh made a visible pledge of the future blessing he intended for Jacob and his family in the form of Egyptian carts to assist them in a comfortable and speedy return. These carts were the prestigious transport of that day associated with the wealthy and powerful! Jacob had great difficulty in believing the brothers’ reports until he saw the transport that had been provided for him. It was their presence that persuaded him of the genuineness of the brothers’ story and so his hope for the future was quickened! Presentation 64

What God Did For Joseph’s Family It is hard to avoid the comparison with the N.T. claim that the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian is God’s pledge to him that something much more substantial that awaits him in the future [Eph.1.14]. But more that that, the pledge is also a powerful persuasion to others that God’s kingdom is real. At Pentecost it was the transforming ministry of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Jesus’ disciples that made their witness creditable. The indwelling activity of God’s Holy Spirit is the great sign that God it at work in his people’s lives. Presentation 64

Conclusion The story of Joseph is proliferated with signs designed to point onlookers to the activity of God. The integrity, submission, love and forgiveness of Joseph; the conversion of his brothers, men made new by God’s grace; the rich provision for Joseph’s family in time of crisis. God continues to plant signposts in an unbelieving world. Paul tells the church of his day that they are ‘living epistles known and read by all men’2 Cor.3.2 . What kind of signpost are we? What kind of message do our lives communicate? That is the searching question confronting us in this passage! Presentation 64

Studies in Genesis