When Jacob learned that
there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at
each other?” 2 He continued, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go
down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.”
Lesson One: When we receive news that is life
saving. We need to not just sit there
and think about it. We need to do
something about it. There is time to
think things through. To ponder, to
consider, look at the pros and cons.
Then there is news that we need to act upon. Jacob who is the leader of his family, the
chosen of God heard via most likely through the caravans or local news. In the ancient world news came through people
going and coming back from places. Not
like today where we can get news in real time, television, radio, print or
internet. There was grain in Egypt. They had none, so he told his boys to Egypt
and buy some. This was a life and death
situation. When you know survival is on
the line you do everything you can. Yet
none of the characters of this story knew God was setting things up. This was about to be a divine moment. In your life and mine God is always working
on our behalf. He is creating divine
moments. People we are going to meet,
things that are going to happen and intersecting our lives with others. This is where we need to trust the Lord and
remember God is always working. You are
here this morning not by accident but by divine appointment to hear what I have
to say. Talk about Iraqi family coming
to Canada via Syria and how I got to tell Him about Christ.
3 Then ten of Joseph’s
brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. 4 But Jacob did not send Benjamin,
Joseph’s brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come
to him. 5 So Israel’s sons were among those who went to buy grain, for there
was famine in the land of Canaan also.
Lesson Two: Joseph’s ten brothers went down to
Egypt. It would have taken up to a week
because they had to walk or go on some sort of animal. They would also had to have taken enough
supplies to get them there. No
Restaurants and few hotels in the ancient world. Also terrain was desert and mountains so
would have been a long dry trip. Now
Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother via Rachel. Now Jacob had two wives. Rachel and Leah. Joseph was in love with Rachel he worked for her
for seven years for her hand in marriage but on the day of the marriage,
Rachel’s dad switched brides and gave Leah instead. In those days brides wore veils and you did
not know who you were marrying until afterward.
In India today grooms wear beaded veils. Now Rachel died while giving birth to
Benjamin and so you can understand Jacob fear when Joseph disappeared. Now God
can use our fears, concern for divine purposes.
I have won many to Christ because of fear or concerns life. This would set up a divine encounter designed
to save Jacob and his family and to teach the boys a lesson. So the boys went to Egypt to buy grain
because the famine was in Canaan as well.
Remember this was a famine that engulfed the then known world. God often uses natural disasters for divine
purposes. Talk about the locusts
devastating Israel during time of Joel and this was used to bring a prophetic
message.
6 Now Joseph was the
governor of the land, the person who sold grain to all its people. So when
Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the
ground. 7 As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he
pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. “Where do you come from?”
he asked.
Lesson three. Joseph was the governor of the land. He was selling grain to all its people. His brothers arrived and bowed their face to
the ground. Joseph recognized his
brothers but they did not recognize Him.
Remember over 20 years had passed.
People change. Also Joseph would
have been dressed and looked like a Egyptian noble. He would have makeup, a wig, a mitre or
crown, fine linen, clean shaven.
Joseph would now be in his late
30’s. They also thought Joseph was
dead. He recognized them but he
pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them and asked them where they were from. Now many think this is because all his pent
up anger, frustration and unforgiveness.
I do not think this. I think he
was setting up a moment of truth.
Remember Joseph was known for his wisdom, his generosity and
understanding of divine purposes. He was
probing the boys. He wanted
information. If they knew who he was
they would have been shocked and scared.
Joseph wanted to find out about his father, brother and family. Joseph was playing the gambler. Talk about Kenny Rogers song. Joseph in that moment formulated a plan. This was part of the plan. He would play a role, this way he could get
what he wanted. He was also going to
teach them a lesson. So he came across
as a harsh person. Must have been a
shock to his officials, in fact out of character for Joseph. Joseph though was a man with a plan.
“From the land of Canaan,”
they replied, “to buy food.” 8 Although
Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. 9 Then he
remembered his dreams about them.
Lesson Four: They told him they were from Canaan, to buy
food. They were on a mission. Joseph had recognized his brothers but they
did not recognize Him. Then Joseph had
an epiphany. He remembered his dreams. The first was , We were binding sheaves of
grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while
your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.” Next, the sun and moon and eleven stars were
bowing down to me.” It was
happening. God often gives us divine
hints about the future. Did you know
there were 300 OT prophecies about the birth, life, ministry and death about
Jesus Christ. Joseph when he was a boy
had these dreams. In fact it was these
dreams and his father’s favor that led up to this moment. A little lesson is that even the bad things
that happen to us can be used by God. Joseph
and the boys were having a divine moment.
Joseph knew it but his brothers did not.
Remember everything has a purpose even if we do not see it. That is why we have to trust God, His love,
grace, mercy and forgiveness. Rom 8:28
reminds us that all things work together for good. If you had something bad happen or good it
has a divine purpose. Talk about how my
getting a brochure from the Columbia school of broadcasting, going to Vanguard
changed everything for me. Close with
giving is the best communication.
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