THE SILVER CUP

 

Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.  3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.

 

Lesson One:  All the years, the tension, the emotion and the suspense are too much for Joseph.  It was the moment of truth.  He saw that his brothers had truly changed.  The test was over.  It was time for the truth.  He orders all the attendants out .  He cries out with every fiber of his being.  This is the moment for him and his brothers.  They scurry like rats.  Confusion and panic on the faces of his brothers.  What is going to happen now?

     There was no one from Egypt.  They were all alone, just the brothers and Joseph.  He begins to weep, all the years, the sorrow, the pain, the hiding.  Joseph weeps so loud, that even though no one was in the room he could be heard by people throughout the complex.  His tears flowing his heart is releasing, he cannot do this any longer.  Here are seven reasons why we should cry.  Tears help us see. Starting with the most basic function of tears, they enable us to see.  Tears kill bacteria. No need for Clorox wipes.   Tears remove toxins.  Crying can elevate mood.   Crying lowers stress.  Tears heal.  Tears release feelings.  Egyptians heard, Pharaoh’s household heard.  They probably thought he lost his mind.  I can see messengers running to Pharaoh with the news.  Something is happening at the house of the Prime Minister.  Something that was about to shake two worlds,Egypt and Canaan.

     Then Joseph says to his brothers.  I am Joseph, is my father living?  His brothers were not able to answer him because they were terrified.  Was he going to kill them?  He had the power of life and death.  Can you see the shock, mouths open.  Questions running through their minds.  Does he wasn’t revenge?  Look what he had done already?  What was going to happen now?  Joseph did not look like them, act like them, talk like them.  He was so different from them.  When redemption and forgiveness does it work we are never like people around us.  Salvation is the greatest work of all.  It changes us to righteous holy, loving, forgiving, graceful and merciful.

 

  4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

 

Lesson two:  Joseph had been so changed by his experience to the good.  In that moment they saw a loving and gracious man.  He calls them to him and when they have overcome their fear, their shock and guilt.  Oh the guilt, the shame, the remorse, the pain they have caused. 

     Then Joseph reassures them.  He releases them.  He has forgiven them.  We saw this as Joseph has already wept twice before.  He is Joseph they sold into slavery.  He tells them not to be distressed or angry for selling Him there.  God sent him there.  Joseph knew why.  God had done all this.  Can you imagine.  All his will now revealed.  God has eternal purposes.  Joseph had figured it out.  All the years of slavery, prison, dreams, waiting, elevation and preparation.  God had sent Him ahead.  He was to save lives.  That is why we must do all we can in our world.  The message of salvation saves lives.  There is no greater message.  No more important task, more noble calling than the eternal calling.  We are the Joseph’s in our world.  Your life has significance purpose.  You have a high and holy calling.  You are ambassador of an eternal kingdom.  You bring life and death.  Heaven and hell are in your hands.  God has sent you into your world ahead to save others.  It is always about others. 

     Now we get the time period.  It has been twenty two years since they had seen Joseph.  They are heading into the third year of the famine.  They will be no plowing or reaping for the next five years.  Joseph knew the times he lived in.  Do you?  Do you know what is going around you and what is happening in your world?  We must be like the men of Isaachar, we must discern the times we live in.

     Joseph then reveals two more things to the brothers.  God sent him ahead to preserve them as a remnant.  A remnant is a called out people, different than others, not the same as everyone else.  They are people with an eternal purpose.    They are people who survive a major disaster. A remnant of people is what is left  following a catastrophe.  Terms for remnant in the Old Testament derive from six roots and occur some 540 times.  Theological hues when it becomes the object of God's address and/or action.  God has called Joseph to save and preserve them by a great deliverance.  Joseph now understood all this.  Now he was revealing it to them.  This was God and God alone.  Can you see the relief.  God was working even in a place like this.  God can work anywhere.  Remember that.  In your family, vocation, community, province and country.  God is working never forget that.  When you feel like giving up, frustrated, annoyed and distressed.  God is working.

 

8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. 9 Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. 10 You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. 11 I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.’

 

Lesson Three:  Joseph then reveals four things.  It was God who sent Him there not them.  God used them but God did this.  God and God alone.  You need to see the hand of God in everything.  You have to have eternal eyes and view or you will miss do much.  He made Joseph father to Pharaoh.  Lord of his entire household.  Joseph was his friend and trusted advisor.  Pharaoh loved and trusted Joseph like no man.  They were friends, brothers and family.  He is ruler of all Egypt.  A Hebrew prince, slave and prisoner had become ruler of all Egypt.  Quite a rags to riches story.  A true fairytale.  Hollywood could never have come with this script or screen play.  God writes the best stories and right now he is writing yours.  That is why you need to seek him and follow Him.  Yours is being written moment by moment.

     Joseph was sending them back.  Hurry, tell him Joseph is alive. God has made him lord over Egypt.  Come and see me, do not delay.   Bring all you have.  You will live in Goshen and be near Him.  Goshen was chosen because it was near.  They were shepherds so the land was best suited for their lifestyle.  They could live godly lives in that land but not have to be part of the land.  Like Jacob we in are in the world but not of the world.  Remember you are a pilgrim passing through.  This is not the best.  We like Abraham are looking for a city whose maker and builder is God.  Bring the whole family.  Everyone is to come and all they have.  Joseph knew they could not stay where they were.  Sometimes God moves us to preserve us.  Never stay in a place where you could die.  Move to where God wants you to be. 

     Joseph wanted them close so he could provide for them.  There was still five years left and they would become destitute.  God wants to provide for us.  He is Jehovah Jireh.  He will supply all your needs.  He has eternal and abundant life for you.  You will see his hand of provision for you. 

 

12 “You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. 13 Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.”  14 Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. 15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.

 

Lesson Four:  He tells them as they can see for themselves what God has done.  Proof is in the pudding.  When we prosper God gets the glory.  Do not take the credit for God has done.  The in this moment he turns to Benjamin.  It is me your brother Joseph.  Can you see the love in his eyes, the compassion and the absolute friendship.  They were the sons of Rachel.  Their mother had died giving birth to Benjamin.  They were blood.  They shared the same DNA.  Benjamin tells dad three things.  First, all the honor that has been given to me in Egypt.  The boy you thought was dead did good.  Dads always want their boys to succeed.  It reflects on them.  Next, tell him everything you have seen.  You are my witness of all that you have seen.  Did you know we are witnesses for God in our world?  Tell those around you what you know, seen and experience.  That is why our purpose is on this planet.  It is not about family, friend, vocation, wealth, fame, fortune and status.  Your life is so much more than this.  You have an eternal purpose.  Please do not forget that today.  Thirdly, tell dad to come down here. 

     He throws his arms around Benjamin and they weep together.  The years are gone in that moment.  They are reunited and it feels so good.  It is divine and holy moment.  They embraced as brothers.  Everything is right in their world in this moment.  It will be a moment they will never forget.  He did the same for his brothers.  In that moment they experience true divine purpose.  They were forgiven, restored, heal and truly love.  This is true moment of grace.  They is like the moment the prodigal felt.  This is like the moment Paul felt went Ananias laid hands on him.  The chiefest of sinners had come home.  They weep and all is forgiven and forgotten well at least as Joseph is concerned.  Afterward they talk and enjoy each other.  Talk about my vision of heaven of meeting old friends, family and loved ones, then seeing Jesus.