From a Slave to one who Saves (Gen. 41-46)

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."  (James 1:2-4, ESV)

Do you remember this verse?  Those of you who were present for our first "read through the Bible" discussion during the Bible class hour may recall that I had you write this down in your notes and recommended you commit it to memory.  You may be more familiar with the NIV translation, which is why I chose this version to make you really pause and consider the words and their meaning. 

Read that verse again, with Joseph and all he has been through in mind.  I'm serious, read it again with Joseph in mind.

Now read it again and consider all the other patriarchs:  Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Do you see the truth of those words played out in their lives?  I sure do!  God and time are incredible teachers--the best.  God and lessons learned over time turned Jacob from a deceitful younger brother into a humble leader of God's chosen people.  God and time turned Joseph from a spoiled-rotten, bragging dreamer into a wise man of God ready to save the lives of many people.

I want to share with you what I have learned from Joseph's life:

1. Genesis 41:1 tells us how long Joseph was in jail after interpreting the cupbearer and baker's dreams.  He had asked the cupbearer to remember him and tell Pharoah about him, but the cupbearer forgot.  How long was Joseph in jail after that incident?
2. What does the cupbearer say to Pharoah when no one can interpret his dreams?  (Gen. 41:9)  Ouch.  I hate to be reminded of my shortcomings.
3. Things move pretty fast at this point, because Pharoah wants some answers.  What does Joseph say to Pharoah when he finally appears before him?  (Gen. 41:16)  That's called wisdom, my friend.  That's giving glory where glory is due.
4. Pharoah recognizes the wisdom of God in Joseph.  What does he say and do in Gen. 41:39-40?

Here is where I want you to pause and consider something. 

• Read Gen. 41:36.  How old was Joseph at this point?
• Go back to Gen. 37:2.  How old was Joseph when he was tending the flocks with his brothers and they sold him into slavery?
• Math quiz:  how many years was Joseph in slavery and jail in Egypt?  

Stop and think about that.  Really let that sink into your head.  Joseph was in slavery and jail for 13 years.  13 years!  What have you done with your life for the last 13 years that you would have missed if you had been in slavery and jail that whole time?  Crazy thought, isn't it?

Here's the clencher.  We don't read one single hint that Joseph was bitter or sat around pouting, complaining about the evil his brothers had done to him and how unjust his circusmstances were.  What did Joseph do, not having any idea how long he would be in slavery or jail?  What did he do when another year went by and it must have seemed even more hopeless?  What did he do when the cupbearer forgot to mention him to Pharoah? 

Joseph gave everyone his best.  Joseph gave God his best.  That's what he did.  He epitomized Colossians 3:23:  "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."  Do you do that?

Go back and reflect on Gen. 39:3-6, 20-23.  This was the testimony of a great God working through a willing servant.  Sister, that is a recipe for being made "perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."  Oh that you and I would be so willing to endure trials of many kinds so that perseverance might be produced in us like Joseph!

Once again, under the authority of Pharoah, Joseph gives God his best.  He is responsible for saving the lives of all the Egyptians during the famine, as well as many people coming from all over to buy grain from him.  He also gets married and has two sons--Manasseh and Ephraim--who will be key players in the 12 tribes of Israel.

In chapter 42, the famine becomes so severe in Canaan that Jacob sends his 10 oldest sons to Egypt for grain.  Can you blame him for keeping Benjamin at home?  He's not going to make that mistake again and risk losing the only son he has left from Rachel.

1. What happens in Gen. 42:6?  Compare that with Gen. 37:5-11.  What just happened when Joseph's brothers came to get grain from him?  Never doubt what God has clearly told you, sister, even if it takes 13 years...or a lifetime...to come to fruition! 
2. What did Joseph do in Gen. 42:8-9?
3. What happens in vv. 22-24?

Can you even imagine being in Joseph's shoes at this moment?  The wave of emotions that swept over him as he saw his brothers for the first time in 13 years, remembered his dreams about them, remembered what they had done to him, and wondered about his father and younger brother Benjamin must have been like a tidal wave threatening to sweep him away.

Poor Jacob.  When his sons return home and explain the whole story, he is crushed.  His words make me so sad for him in Gen. 42:36.  Reuben is ready to make things right (remember when he convinced the brothers not to kill Joseph and had planned to bring him back to Jacob?), but Jacob is not about to let his youngest son out of his sight.

But the famine is severe, and they really need food.  So Judah does a noble thing as the one from whom our precious Savior would one day come. 

1. What does he say to his father Jacob in Gen. 43:9?
2. What does Joseph do the minute he sees Benjamin?  (Gen. 43:16)
3. I love what Joseph's steward says to them in Gen. 43:23.  To whom does he give the credit for their blessings?
4. What do the brothers do again in v. 26? 
5. What does Joseph seem concerned about in v. 27?
6. What happens in v. 30?
7. What was surprising to all the brothers in v. 33?
8. In chapter 44, which brother pleads for mercy from Joseph because he has guaranteed the safety of Jacob's youngest son, offering to become a slave in his place?  (starting at Gen. 44:18)

This beautiful offer on Judah's part to be the substituionary slave (any hint of Jesus there?) is more than Joseph can take.  He is convinced that his brothers are truly repentant for what they did to him and would never do the same to his brother Benjamin.  He sees their changed hearts after years of watching their father grieve Joseph's supposed death.  No longer able to control himself, Joseph reveals his identiy to his shocked brothers.

1. What did this shocking news do to his brothers?  (Gen. 45:3)
2. Who does Joseph say is the one responsible for him being sold into Egypt in Gen. 45:5, and why?
3. Why else did God do this?  See Gen. 45:7

"So it was not you who sent me here, but God."  (Gen. 45:8)  Those words could only come from one who has endured trials, faced the testing of his faith, and remained steadfast through difficult times.  God and time are excellent teachers.

Joseph sends his brothers off to get their father, sending all sorts of carts and provisions with them.  I absolutely love the words that describe Jacob's response when he heard the good news: "the spirit of their father Jacob revived."  (Gen. 45:27)   Thirteen years of grieving...done!

But that doesn't hold a candle to the beauty of their reunion in Gen. 46:29-30.  Try to picture that precious scene and the longing it fulfilled for both of them.  God is so very good.

Notice at the beginning of chapter 46 that God appears to Israel in a vision and tells him to not be afraid to go to Egypt.  Not only that, but He assures Jacob that He will go with him and will bring him back to the promised land again.  Friend, I want you to know that if God sends you somewhere to fulfill His purposes, He will go with you and be your God in that place of calling.

So all 70 of them, plus his daughters-in-law and all the servants, as well as all their flocks and belongings, set out for Egypt.

Who lead the whole caravan of Israel?  "Now Jacob sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph...." (Gen. 46:28)  How appropriate.