JOSEPH IN EGYPT

 

22 Joseph stayed in Egypt, along with all his father’s family. He lived a hundred and ten years 23 and saw the third generation of Ephraim’s children. Also the children of Makir son of Manasseh were placed at birth on Joseph’s knees.

 

     So after Joseph had reassured his brothers about his forgiveness he lived in Egypt for the rest of his life.  Now Joseph was 56, when he buried his father and showed this incredible act of forgiveness and loves.  So he lives another 54 years in Egypt.  He lived there with all his father’s family.  His duty was to care for and protect his family.  He would have been the Prime Minister as long as the king lived for he was trusted.  Joseph was also honored in Egypt because of his saving the country from a severe famine.  Joseph had the privilege of seeing the third generation of his family, his great grandchildren.  Some of our seniors here have that privilege.  Should Jesus tarry and it being the Lord’s will I look forward to that privilege.  The children of Makir son of Manasseh were placed at Joseph’s feet.  The reason Makir is mentioned because he becomes the most important tribe of Manasseh. Placing children on one’s knees is akin to adopting them. This cements the connection between Joseph and Makir. Furthermore, these generations speak to Joseph being blessed with long life.  This is the privilege of being a follower of the Lord.  Longevity is a combination of good genes, good living, godly heritage, diet, exercise and choosing never to get old.  Look at me, I will be 39 again next birthday.  Joseph never returns to Canaan during his life time.  Joseph was the means for his family to get to Egypt.  It was here that Israel would become a great people and eventually need an Exodus and a Moses.  There is a divine plan in all of our lives.  God uses circumstances, people and situations to get us where we need to be.  We need to be open, sensitive and obedient to him to live in the middle of God’s will.

 

24 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” 25 And Joseph made the Israelites swear an oath and said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.”

 

But his life doesn’t last forever. Eventually, he’s on his deathbed, and he tells his brothers that he is about to die. There is no indication whether any of these brothers have already passed on.   This would have been the remaining family.  Joseph also look at all his family as a brotherhood of godly people in a foreign land.  Joseph again reassures them of divine protection and aid.  Joseph had been their benefactor, protector and friend for over 50 years.  He had been a go between them and the Egyptians.  With Joseph passing there was a lot of uncertainty.  Joseph had been a human representation of God and a link with the patriarchs.  Joseph had given them favor with a foreign people and now they were not sure what was going to happen next.  This always happens when a loved one is about to pass away.  We know that things will never be the same.   He reassures them God was behind all this and He will be there with them.  We have the promise today of Matt 28:20 that the Lord will never leave or forsake them.  Jesus gave this same reassurance in the upper room to his disciples.  Remember Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and forever.  What God did yesterday, he will do today and tomorrow.  God’s help, protection, guidance and love are consistent.  They would not be alone.  Remember the promises are yes and amen.  Good lesson for them and us.

     Joseph then gives them a prophetic promise. God will take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This is not the land that God has, on oath, promised to give them. They are in Egypt, not the Promised Land.  This land they are living in a temporary place.

     Remember Egypt is where they dwell but it is not their home.  A good lesson for us.  Like Israel we have a home.  We live in this world but are not of it.  Like Israel we are looking for a city whose maker and builder is God.  The brothers and their family had gotten use to Egypt.  They had made a life in Egypt.  They saw that Egypt was a place of plenty and security with Joseph.  Egypt had become familiar.  I have discovered that people will often stay even in a place that can be toxic because it is familiar.  It is what happening right now in Canada.  Certain parts of this country keep this federal government because it is the devil they know.  Joseph reminds them of God’s oath.  Even at the end Joseph is bringing God into their remembrance.  Egypt can get into us.  That is why we need constant reminders for God.  They had been in Egypt for almost 70 years to this point.  The children, grandchildren and great grandchildren had only known life in Egypt under Joseph.  They needed to be reminded they were the people of God.  That is why we need to remind our families today.  Jesus told us He goes to prepare a place for us.  Remember any moment Jesus could come back.  That is why we must live ready.  You are not settlers here Joseph was telling them and us.

     Joseph then makes them swear an oath to take his bones back to Canaan.  Even though Joseph had left Canaan at the age of 17, it never left him.  Canaan was his identity, his happy childhood, the place where he was connected too.  To the Jew Canaan will always be the land of promise.  It is their identity, and it is the place that was promised to them.  Joseph wanted his bones to be buried there.  Talk about Claresholm.  Joseph was a patriarch the promise of firstborn had been given to him.  He was the head of the family here and so he is giving his final instruction.

 

26 So Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten. And after they embalmed him, he was placed in a coffin in Egypt.

 

     Joseph lives to be a 110 and they embalm him and he was place in a coffin in Egypt.  Joseph was a high ranking official so he would have all the pomp and ceremony someone of his stature would have deserved.  Notice though there is no mention of mourning or even an extensive funeral.  Moses closes off Genesis with a simple statement.  This last chapter sets up the stage for the next chapter in Israel and that is the Exodus where Joseph bones would be carried back to Canaan and placed in burial place in Shechem.  Joseph’s tomb is there right now. 

 

Now I want to spend just a couple of moments talking about the lessons we can learn from Joseph’s life.

 

1.       No matter who you are you are not immune from bad things happening in your life.  Joseph was a prince in Canaan.

2.      Even bad things have a purpose.  Joseph through slavery, prison learned to trust God in a bad place.

3.      You can flourish and be successful even in ungodly and difficult places.  Bloom where you are planted.  Joseph flourished in Potiphar’s house and in prison.

4.      God is with you no matter where you go.  God was with Joseph and help him prosper.

5.      Even bad things can be stepping stones when we have a godly view, right attitudes and see them as they are.

6.      Be faithful where you are until promotion comes.

7.      Life can change in a moment.  Joseph went from prison to Prime Minister in a day.

8.      God will use the talents you have to work his will.  Joseph was wise, able to interpret dreams.

9.      Walk in forgiveness.  Remember you are not the judge.  Forgive immediately and reassure others you have.  Joseph did.  He forgave all who hurt him.

10.   Remember God has a bigger plan in mind for you when you trust Him. 

 

 

 

 

QUOTES FOR JULY 25

 

JOSEPH AND PHAROAH

 

47 Joseph went and told Pharaoh, “My father and brothers, with their flocks and herds and everything they own, have come from the land of Canaan and are now in Goshen.” 2 He chose five of his brothers and presented them before Pharaoh.

 

Lesson One:  Now Joseph returns back to Avaris which was the capital city of Egypt.  It was a well-developed center of trade with a busy harbor catering to over 300 ships during a trading season.  Artifacts excavated at a temple erected in the Hyksos period have produced goods from all over the Aegean world.  In recent excavations they found enormous storage facilities, including numerous silos, In fact it was the largest city in the world at that time and a large statue of a non Pharaoh and some believe it could be of Joseph.  Joseph tells the king that his father and brothers came to Goshen with everything they owned from Canaan.  Joseph prepares the meeting, he was their introduction.  He chose five brothers and presented them before Pharaoh.  This was the proper protocol for the ancient world.  These boys were a delegation from one nation to another.  Joseph also mentioned about the goods because Pharaoh had offered to supply all their needs.  They instead came with all they owned and so it was a change in plan and also it meant that different resources would have to needed to meet Jacob’s family needs.  Pharaoh had not met Joseph’s family so when Joseph chose them they would have been the most articulate and responsible.  We are getting a glimpse of how things were done in the ancient world.

 

3 Pharaoh asked the brothers, “What is your occupation?”  “Your servants are shepherds,” they replied to Pharaoh, “just as our fathers were.” 4 They also said to him, “We have come to live here for a while, because the famine is severe in Canaan and your servants’ flocks have no pasture. So now, please let your servants settle in Goshen.”

 

Lesson Two:  The king asked them their occupation.  Remember lifestyle is often determined by what we do.  If you are a mechanic you often have cars, motorcycles, snow machines etc.  If you are IT that usually means you are into computers etc.  They said we are shepherds just like our fathers were.  This is a family business.  They did what their fathers did.  In Jewish society every male child had to have a trade to take care of themselves and their family.  Even spiritual leaders, Jesus was a carpenter, Paul was a tent maker.  Now here is an interesting fact here.  They told the king they wanted him to settled in Goshen for a little while because the famine was severe in Canaan and their flocks had no pasture.  Their coming was out of an invitation and a need.  From this dialogue we see that they did not intend to stay in Egypt.  Their intention was to stay only until after the famine was over.  Man has one idea and God has another.  Just a little lesson, the will of God will get you somewhere how long you stay there is often a surprise.  What we plan often is different than what God plans.  Our response to the will of God is that we must know it can be fluid and it can take us places, meet people and do things we never thought we would do.  Our only response is yes Lord here am I and I will do it.  Isaiah said, I will go, send me.  He never thought he would become the prophet who spoke most about Jesus.  Now the reason they asked was only the king could over rule all normal immigration procedures and his permission also gave them royal protection from bandits and other factors.  Like free grazing rights, water, mobility which shepherds needed and the right to protect themselves. 

 

  5 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Your father and your brothers have come to you, 6 and the land of Egypt is before you; settle your father and your brothers in the best part of the land. Let them live in Goshen. And if you know of any among them with special ability, put them in charge of my own livestock.”

 

 

Lesson Three:  So the king makes a royal decree and tells Joseph as his family ambassador.  This royal decree comes with four parts.  First, they have permission to live in Egypt, they came go anywhere in the land.  They have permission to travel without restriction, harassment and with full royal protection.  Secondly, they can settle in the best part of the land.  This would be like giving the right to settle in the best part of Canada.  That is what Harry and Meghan are doing right now.  They see Victoria and Vancouver as the best Canada has to offer.  Thirdly, they can live in Goshen.  This would keep them separate from the Egyptians.  They can develop as a nation, not come in contact or conflict with the Egyptians and expand and increase their net worth.  Lastly, if anyone of them has special ability put them in charge of my own livestock.  Because of Joseph’s special relationship, he would trust them to take care of his possessions like Joseph did.  This just shows how much he regarded and trusted Joseph.  This is an amazing offer.  Only God could pull off something like this.  I love this story because it is an example of Eph 3:20, God can do amazingly above what we can ask or even imagine.  Talk about Wigglesworth travelling around the world and he did not start until he was 48.  What is your dream, two things God is able and you are never too late.  Colonel Saunders was in his late 60’s when he started  KFC.  Abraham was 75 when he went to Canaan. 

 

7 Then Joseph brought his father Jacob in and presented him before Pharaoh. After Jacob blessed Pharaoh, 8 Pharaoh asked him, “How old are you?”  9 And Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. My years have been few and difficult, and they do not equal the years of the pilgrimage of my fathers.” 10 Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from his presence.

 

Lesson Four:  This is an amazing meeting.  The king meets the man who fathered his Prime Minister.  Now I want you to notice that Jacob blessed the king.  He would have raised his hands and said a blessing over the king.  This was a moment of Patriarch to Patriarch, King to King and nation to nation.  The amazing thing is that the king accepted it.  This was like the President of the USA accepting the blessing of a foreign dignitary.  Talk about Trump being prayed for by Christian leaders in White house.  This is also amazing because the king was in Egyptian the physical representation of Ra king of the gods of Egypt.  Here you have the acknowledgment of the gods of Egypt being used by the God of the universe to do his will also an ungodly man being used to do the will of God.  What is amazing is that the king received it instead of being offended.

     He then asked how old Jacob was because he was obviously not a young man.  Jacob tells him he is 130. Now this is amazing too.  He tells him they have been few and difficult.  Jacob walked in forgiveness and had a proper perspective of life.  Remember he had been in conflict with his brother, his father in law and he had lost a child for 22 years.  Some would say that was difficult.  Yet Jacob saw God in all of this.  He trusted God.  He had seen God’s deliverance, restoration and healing.  His difficulties were stepping stones.  Here are some steps to handling overwhelming Problems

 

Stay as calm as possible. ...

Accept responsibility for the problem. ...

Evaluate situations before you respond. ...

Find a quick solution. ...

Identify problematic patterns. ...

Set goals to solve problems. ...

Keep your expectations realistic. ...

Have faith in in God and yourself.

 

Jacob saw his pilgrimage not equal to what his fathers had been through.  He had not live as long or had to face what they had faced.  What a perspective.  God’s grace and favor throughout his life. 

     Then Jacob blessed the king a second time and went out of his presence.  Jacob blessed the king twice.  What an amazing thing to do, such generosity, grace, mercy and love.  A blessing is a prayer asking for God's favor and protection.  He was giving God’s favor and protection over the king for his generous offer. 

 

11 So Joseph settled his father and his brothers in Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the district of Rameses, as Pharaoh directed. 12 Joseph also provided his father and his brothers and all his father’s household with food, according to the number of their children.

 

Lesson Five:  So Joseph then does four things for his family.  He settles them in Egypt.  They are not pilgrims passing through.  They are settling.  That means they are going to be there for a while.  What they thought is not what God and Joseph had in mind.  Now we get an idea of how the physical make up of Egypt.  Goshen is in the district of Rameses.  They were given the best property in that area, the most fertile and best for their needs.  Isn’t that just like God?  He always gives us the best for our situation.  Joseph did what the king directed.  This was all with the king’s permission amazing.  Then Joseph supplies food for each one according to the number of children.    Remember they were only in the second year of the famine.  So they were supplied by the royal treasury for the remaining five years.  God will always supply in the times of famine.  One final thought.  They will be in our lives times of feast and famine.  Times of blessing and loss.  Times of grace and hardship.  Life is fluid and you never when it could be good or bad.  Even days like that.  Here is the three things I want you to remember today.  First, God will be will you.  Secondly, God will supply and lastly, trust Him

THREE BLESSINGS

 

A priest, a minister, and a rabbi want to see who’s best at his job. So each one goes into the woods, finds a bear, and attempts to convert it. Later, they all get together. The priest begins: “When I found the bear, I read to him from the catechism and sprinkled him with holy water. Next week is his first Communion.”  “I found a bear by the stream,” says the minister, “and preached God’s holy Word. The bear was so mesmerized that he let me baptize him.” They both look down at the rabbi, who is lying on a gurney in a body cast. “Looking back,” he says, “maybe I shouldn’t have started with the
circumcision.”   

 Do  these things: obedience, love, faithfulness, trust, respect, and honor; and the following

God “will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.” (Proverbs 3:2)

Prosperity in this verse is the Hebrew word shalom meaning peace, health, and tranquility. God will reward your obedience with a shalom life, which is a long and peaceful life.  Serving God with Your Wor.  kShalom is the fruit of your new life in Jesus Christ who is described in Isaiah 9:6 as “Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

“You will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” (Proverbs 3:4)

Doing things God’s way will improve your relationships with others. You will win favor and a good name.   Jesus had favor eith God and man

God “will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:6)

God knows the right paths to get you to the right places at the right time. Remaining faithful to him will keep you on course to a better life. 

“This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” (Proverbs 3:8)

 The word “body” is translated from the Hebrew word meaning navel, as in a newborn baby’s umbilical cord. Honoring God with your body will improve your health and well-being. Look to God for your spiritual nourishment.

“Your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” (Proverbs 3:10)

Give back to God. But don’t give to get—give to honor your Giver. Barns and vats are material possessions. God can fill them to the brim and make them overflow, not to your glory but to his.  You do your part–obedience, love, faithfulness, honor– and God will do his.  Matthew 22:37-40 states we are to love the Lord with every fibre of being and we will then love our neighbor as ourself. 

REDEEMER

 

July 24 – Redeemer - Isaiah 43:11-15

 

     The Lord reminds them through Isaiah that apart from Hin there is no savior and that is not some

foreign God.  They are His witnesses that He is the Lord.  From ancient times no one can take them out

of His hand and no one can reverse when he acts.  Even though Israel has been unfaithful God is

merciful.   He is the redeemer of Israel. 

     Isaiah then looks into the future and tells Judah that they shall be taken to Baylon as fugitives for

Their pride and sin.  He then reveals four things about God.  He is their Lord, Sovereign, and Master.

He is their Holy One.  This is character nature and essence.  He is Israel’s creator for he called Abraham

Out of the Babylon.  He is their king and ruler.

 

QUOTES FOR JULY 24, 2026

 

HOW TO BE AN OVERCOMER

 

How to be an Overcomer! – 1 John 4:4-6

 

Intro:  Today I will sharing from one of my favourite and most quoted verses.  There is so much truth in this passage this morning.  My prayer is that I will be able share its truths properly in a simple but effective manner.

 

You dear children are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

 

     This scripture is a pivotal scripture and has many applications.  There are four truths

      Will look at here. 

 

1.  The first is that the readers are of God. Anyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as

     Their Lord and Saviour is of God.  As children of God we have inheritance,

     Promises and assurance.

 

a.  Mt 5:9, says that children of God have peacemaking ability.

b.  In Luke 20:36, Jesus calls us the children of the resurrection.

c.  1 John 3:20 reminds us that the children of God do what is right and love one

    Another.

 

2.  The second truth is that child of God or the devil, have to masters either God or the

     Devil.   Those of God; however have the great advantage of having the Holy Spirit

      Living inside them.

3.  The third truth is that we are overcomes.  Rev 2 & 3 reveal the rewards of the

     Over comer.  But first, what are the characteristics of an overcome?

 

a. An overcomer refuses to quit, is faithful, obedient, courageous, willing to take

    Direction, counsel and guidance, listen to orders, humble, when knock down gets up

    And trusts in God.

b. There is a sevenfold reward that is given to the over comer.

 

1.  The privilege of eating from the tree of life.  Rev 2:7

2.  A new name.  Rev 2:17

3.  Authority.  Rev 2:26

4.  Robes of Righteousness.  Rev 2:35

5.  A memorial pillar   Rev 3:2

6.  Enthronement.  Rev 3:21

7.  An eternal inheritance.  Rev 21:7

 

4.  The fourth truth of this verse is that greater is He that is in us than he that is in the

     World.  You have the power, victory, ability, to defeat the world, the flesh and the

     Devil.  You have God Himself as a resident in you heart and life.  You win church

     In every battle when you remember this.  When you pray, share God’s truth, exercise

     Your authority and put on the armour of God.  This shows the limitations of satan.

    

 

They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world and the world listens to them. 

 

1.  John talks candidly and honestly about false spirits and teachers.  They are of the

     World.  Their info, reasoning processes, thoughts, attitudes, priorities, philosophy

     And words are from the world.

2.  They speak from the viewpoint of the world.  Their logic, point of view is from man’s

     Ideas and concepts.  North America has over 350 cults who based their beliefs on the

     Bible. 

3.  They world will listen to them.  All world religions have moral truth to them.  They

      Also appeal to mankind because everyone of them allows men to work their way to

      Heaven. Christianity is different because it is clear that Jesus Christ is the only way to

     God and that accepted of His provision is the only condition for heaven.  Man cannot

     work his way to heaven or merit acceptance through some sacrifice or great work. 

     You must accept Jesus and received it by faith. 

 

We are from God and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us.  This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

 

1.  John says that those who are of God listen to the truth of God’s word.  They are

     Anxious to learn and receive it.  The characteristics of those who listen are

     receptivity, desire to learn, teach ability, childlike faith, humility and willingness. 

2.  Those who are not of God refuse to listen to men and woman of God talking about

      The Bible, Jesus Christ and Christianity.  With John it is black and white.  As the

      Last of the apostles, as one of the three pillars of the church named by Paul.  John saw

      It as his duty and responsibility to keep the church of the second century on track. 

3.   This John says is how you tell the difference between the Spirit of truth and the

      Spirit of falsehood. 

 

So in summary this is how we test the spirit and false teachers.

 

1.  If  the spirit or teacher must acknowledge that Jesus came in the flesh.  Jesus is the

     Perfect balance of humanity and deity.

2.  That Jesus came from God.  That He is the Son of God.  God with a face.  The

      Logos.

3.  Those that are false spirits or teachers speak from the viewpoint of the world and

      The World listens and accepts them. 

4.  Those of the truth listen and hear Godly teaching.

5.  Simple, honest, forthright, truthful.  So church now you know.