Good evening. Thank you for the opportunity to come back. It's been a while, I think,
since I was at Brunsfield, but it's great to be back here. I'm in college with Graham,
so I see Graham quite a bit. That's okay on some days. I don't know what kind of mood
Graham's in, you know, depending on how much coffee he's had on the way in in the morning.
The story of Joseph is, I think, in terms of the Old Testament ones, probably the one
that had the biggest impact on me as a young Christian. I remember when I became a Christian
when I was 17, and I was probably quite a confused Christian. I remember my stepmom giving me
a copy of R.T. Kendall's book, God Meant It For Good, and she said to me, go away and read
that. And she says, I think that that might solve some of your difficulties. And it certainly
did, because I had lots of doubts about how God could deal with difficult situations and
turn them around. I think sometimes the story of Joseph is helpful, just as you actually
try to live as a human being on the planet. And to be honest with you, there's so much
within it. And it's a helpful story. And also, you see Jesus almost on every page. It really
points forward to Jesus as a Savior, a Messiah story coming out of the Joseph story, which is
tremendous. But I thought that this evening, really, by way of introduction, rather than
telling you about how much impact it had on me, I want to introduce you to a guy called
Jim. My years prior to working and coming to work as a pastor were spent working for Bethany
Christian Trust. I worked for 14 and a half years for Bethany Christian Trust, particularly
working with addicts, those recovering from drug, alcohol, gambling problems. And as you can
imagine, with that kind of lifestyle comes convictions. So probably about 85 to 90% of
the guys I worked with were convicts or were ex-convicts or were waiting on a conviction case.
Jim's case, though, was something slightly different. One night, he and I were chatting, and it was
late at night, and he confessed to me that he had committed a crime. And it was one that he'd
never been caught for. It was one that he felt extremely guilty about. It would cause him
sleepless nights. And often when the police would arrive at the hostel door, which happened quite a
bit when you're working with 17 guys who have charges waiting, he would wonder if this was his time up.
Is this when I'm going to be found out? In fact, it wasn't uncommon to see guys jumping out their
bedroom windows and diving out the back door, even if they hadn't done anything wrong.
The feeling of guilt, often, I don't think it's just the criminal fraternity, to be honest. I don't
know about you, but even when I'm driving down the road and I see a police car and I know I'm doing
the right speed, there's that instant look down and going, am I guilty? But for Jim, that feeling was
real, he had committed a crime and one that would have put him in prison, or should have put him in
prison. And often he and I would discuss, you know, what would it be like if he was to be found out?
Maybe it would be better for him to go and confess. Maybe that would at least remove the constant
feeling of having to look over his shoulder every time he stepped out the front door.
Would it be better if he felt like he could pay for this crime that he committed?
I'm not going to tell you the ending of the story. Jim's no longer with us.
But it had a big impact on me watching somebody in the middle of that kind of guilt,
wondering if the next knock on the door was going to be the one that would bring his whole world
tumbling around about him. The passage that Alistair read so well to us, thank you Alistair for reading
that, it was a long passage, you did well with that. I'm glad I didn't have to do it.
Joseph's brothers have lived in a similar position to my friend Jim. It's probably about 22 years,
at best estimates, it's probably about 22 years since they've sold Joseph, since he's gone to Egypt.
So that's 22 years since they've committed a crime that they've never been caught for.
A crime that only they know about.
A crime that I think they feel guilty about.
And as Alistair read that passage, you'll have seen this whole web of lies starts to fall down.
The title you gave me for the sermon was An Examination.
And boy, oh boy, are the brothers about to get a tough examination about their life.
They're about to be exposed, or the beginning of their exposure for their wrongdoing is starting
in Genesis chapter 42.
So I thought that we might look through this passage and look at the five family meetings that go on.
I don't know if you come from a family where you have family meetings.
Our family, they were always really short. Whatever my dad said went.
So that was the way it was.
But the first family meeting is one of crisis, isn't it?
And I think it's probably hard for us to, today in this country,
that some I'm sure maybe experience hunger,
but it's not a countrywide famine that we're living in.
In this situation, they are facing a huge famine.
A huge famine.
In fact, the final verse of chapter 41, what we read, it says that the famine is severe
in all the world.
In all the world.
So this family meeting is convened.
They are in crisis point.
And if you're in crisis point and there's a severe famine,
it's not a surprise, I suppose, that word reaches Jacob
that in Egypt there is an answer.
There is an answer to his problems.
There's an answer to the famine.
But, but, although he is unaware,
there is also an answer to Jacob's grief.
That will come in a few chapters' time.
But there's lots of answers in Egypt that are about to be unfolded
over the course of the next few chapters that you'll look at.
It says that Jacob had decided, in chapter 37 of Genesis,
to take his mourning to the grave.
And actually, if you look at the impact in Jacob's life of his relationship with God,
it is severely impacted.
If you look at Jacob as a young man, getting these visions, wrestling,
amazing things happening to him.
And then you look at Jacob now,
and we'll look at him a little bit towards the end of the chapter this evening.
Because he has made a decision to not leave his grieving behind,
to not get on with his life,
to live in the middle of the problem,
his relationship with God has been drastically, drastically affected.
And he isn't aware that over the next few chapters,
there is going to be an amazing reunion, of course,
that's going to happen.
The brothers, though, they're not so in the dark, are they?
They have this history.
They're aware that they've sold Joseph.
They've sold him to the Ishmaelite traders,
who are on the way to trade there,
when they decided to palm Joseph off.
That is going to cause some apprehension about going to Egypt.
If you know that what you have done
is betrayed your own flesh and blood.
And so I would think that if you picture the horror
on the brothers' faces,
as Jacob calls this family meeting together,
and he informs them that,
listen guys, we are in crisis point.
The famine is severe in all the world.
We're in big trouble here.
We aren't going to last out.
We don't have enough provision of ourselves
that we can kind of sit tight and make it through.
The answer to our problems
lies in Egypt, boys.
There's grain there.
And I think that Jacob's question
in the very first verse that we read
is really one that we can highlight this evening.
It's a really insightful thing.
Because I actually think that Jacob's suspicions are aroused.
I wonder if he's always had some suspicion
about the brothers.
And he says this,
why do you keep looking at each other?
Here we are in the middle of a famine.
We've not got enough food.
We've not got enough seed to grow things with.
We're just not going to make it.
I've told you what we need to do.
And then in the middle of this family meeting,
there's just silence
as the brothers kind of cast,
shifting glances at one another.
You know, that knowing look
when you hold a secret in a group of friends
that somebody doesn't know about.
Were Jacob's suspicions aroused?
Why do you keep looking at each other?
I mean, after all, we know,
we know that in previous chapters,
we're told about the suspect character of these boys.
Chapter 38 goes through the suspect character
of one of them in particular.
These guys are no good guys.
I'm sure Jacob as a father
must have looked at them and thought,
I wonder, I just wonder
what really went on between them and Joseph.
He knew they didn't like him.
But we know the story from the beginning to the end.
Jacob's in the middle of it here.
We know what's really going on.
We know why they're looking at each other.
The past has now got a potential
to catch up with these boys.
They know that they've sold Joseph as a slave.
They know that it's most likely
that he is in Egypt,
that he's ended up there.
And therefore,
they now risk exposure.
As they travel into Egypt,
and as they stare into the face
of every Egyptian slave,
they'll be wondering and asking the question,
is that Joseph?
Is that Joseph's face staring back at us?
And that's why,
that's why,
they're looking at each other.
unspoken words between them.
Perhaps a terror,
as they realize now
the severity of their situation,
leaves them with little choice
but to head down to Egypt
and to face their fears.
And I actually think also
that they're hoping
as they look from one another
that one of them might just be able
to come up with a plan
that means they don't have to go there.
each knowing the weight of guilt
that the other one bears.
Only they understand
each other's plight.
They don't know though, do they,
that this is all God ordained.
This family meeting here,
this point we get to
in the story of Joseph
in the book of Genesis,
is God ordained.
God has ordained the famine
for a purpose.
He's going to use this famine
not just to save the lives of many
as Joseph will say
in a later chapter,
but he's also ordained this family
to reunite the broken relationships,
to give the offer of forgiveness
and true repentance
that these brothers really need.
That is going to come later.
But for now,
they must endure the ordeal
of a 250 to 300 mile journey to Egypt
to have any possible chance
of experiencing salvation.
because God has left them
with no choice
but to go.
God has left them
with no choice
but to go.
And I do think
that that is
one of the first challenges
for us this evening.
those moments
where you wonder
why calamity has happened,
why tragedy has happened,
why you're going through tough time,
why you're suffering.
And we all ask these questions
and we accuse God
and we say,
how could you let this happen?
Why are you doing this to me?
Perhaps you might say something like,
I've served you
and I've done this
and I'm following you here
and yet you let this happen.
Of course,
we know the brothers can't say that
because they're of suspect character.
But who in this room tonight
doesn't have suspect character
about them?
Doesn't have little things
that you wouldn't want
other people to find out about?
What choice do you have
in those moments of suffering
that are,
whether we like it or not,
God-ordained?
I'm not saying I understand
why that is the case.
I'm not saying I understand
why the people of Nepal
are suffering the way they are.
I don't think we'll ever understand that.
But to say that God
has been caught by surprise
by those things that have happened
is to doubt His sovereignty.
To doubt His sovereignty
is to say that God isn't big enough.
To say that God isn't big enough
opens a whole lot more problems for you.
Is His salvation enough?
Is that complete enough?
God is sovereign.
God ordains that suffering will come.
Do we understand why?
No.
But when we read stories like this,
we begin to see
that we can trust God
to be in control
no matter how tough
the situation brings.
It's tough.
The Christian life is tough.
I was preaching
from Philippians 3 this morning
where Paul basically just says that.
I expect that the suffering
of a Christian life
is just a given.
It's going to happen.
In fact, Paul says,
I invite it
because that way
I get to experience
and empathize with Christ
in some way.
God has ordained this famine
for a purpose.
This famine isn't about
punishment
of the brothers
because it's worldwide, remember.
It's not just their sin
that he's been talking about.
It's not just their sin
that he's been talking about here.
This famine will bring about
an amazing reconciliation
between Joseph
and his family.
And so it can often be
in our lives
that those things
that we go through,
I think we should often
ask the question,
how can I be reconciled
to Jesus
through this circumstance,
the author,
the perfecter of my faith,
when I'm going through
a tough time?
What are the things
I think about Jesus?
What are the things
I say about him
in these moments?
I believe these times
are often sent
to reconcile us to God.
So that's the first bit.
The family meeting part one
is done.
The family meeting part one
is done
and we're going to come
to our next part in there.
Family meeting part two.
The reunion.
The brothers,
they embark on this
arduous journey
unsure of what's going
to meet them at the end.
Not only do they fear
who they might meet,
but they've also got
the fear of being
foreigners in a strange land
where they might not be wanted.
And it's not long
into this scene
as Alistair read
through this chapter
with us
that we look in
on the scene
of their sternest test
where the real examination
begins.
Of course for them
it's a family meeting
that they're actually
unaware of.
And the first thing
that happens
in this
is that Joseph's dream
is fulfilled.
The dream that had caused
all the problems
in the first place.
And as the brothers
arrive at Joseph
though they don't know
who it is,
they bow down
and they worship him.
Just as Joseph
predicted would happen.
But it is a tough meeting.
If the brothers
have aroused
suspicion of Jacob
back home,
they've now aroused
the suspicions
of the man
they needed the most
in this whole process.
And I think
there's two things
that we have to actually
consider
as we look through
this next section.
Firstly,
we have to look at
the motivation
of Joseph's words.
And then we have to think
about how the brothers
respond
as they experience
what Joseph
has experienced
for parts of his
22 years in Egypt.
So let's first
look at Joseph's
motives.
Joseph isn't willing
to reveal himself
yet to his brothers.
And so he speaks
harshly to them
it says
from verses 7
through to 21
we see this
fascinating encounter
within this
family meeting.
And the question
you first ask
is well
is Joseph
out for revenge
here?
Is he out
for revenge
on his brothers
with a false
accusation
and an imprisonment?
Is this
finally the moment
that he has waited
22 years for?
I don't think
this theory
is plausible
though
when you consider
later chapters
in Genesis
like Genesis 45
and Genesis 50
where Joseph
when he is reunited
reassures his brothers
that he's witnessed
God's hand
in all that's happened
despite
the consequence
of their sin
despite the circumstances
that he had to live
through because of it.
And in actual fact
in the same way
that the brothers
are being examined
here in this chapter
so too
is Joseph.
Joseph
he is under
huge examination
here.
Who could blame him
if he used
the power
that he now has
to bring about
revenge?
I mean you've all
had it haven't you?
Where somebody
has noised you up
and you're thinking
how am I going
to get back
at that person?
Okay well
I'll admit
I have okay
maybe you haven't
but I have
I have
I have often
felt
revengeful thoughts
in my heart
over people
who I perceive
have wronged me.
And if given
an opportunity
where I may have
had power
in this situation
I cannot tell you
what I would have done
would have been godly.
Abraham Lincoln
says this
he says
nearly all men
can stand adversity
but if you want
to test a man's
character
give him power.
And I think
that's really true.
That is so true.
If you have
opportunities
to have power
over somebody
very often
the human will
that comes out
is one
to dominate somebody.
And you know
what I think about
when I was reading
this story here
as Joseph does
something different
is that of Jesus
when he has power
over Judah
on the night
of the last supper
he knows
who's going to
betray him
and it says
that Jesus
has power
over everything
it says that God
has given him
power over everything
and in humility
Jesus kneels down
and washes
his betrayer's feet.
If you want to
test a man's
character
give him power
and Jesus'
example in this
situation
is one that
we must look to
to be humble
in that moment
and say
Lord I need you
to help me here
I need your wisdom
in this situation
because humanly
speaking
I want to do
that person in
I want to do
them harm
these Old Testament
stories are great
but Jesus'
example is the
best there
that's real
humility
it's guaranteed
that there was
nothing of humanity
in Jesus'
response in that way
Joseph there might
have been
he's human
he's got feelings
but in Jesus
we have our
perfect example
of a situation
where you may
have power
over somebody
Joseph has
power
but Joseph
has
experienced
God's
blessing
in his
adversity
he's come
from the
arrogant
young
dreamer
to a man
with integrity
a man of
wisdom
of God
and so
he passes
his examination
because he
recognizes that
what God is
doing through
him
is for his
brothers
it's for this
reunion that's
going to come
because Joseph
could have
revealed himself
to his brothers
straight away
couldn't he
Matthew Henry
suggests in his
commentary
that given
Joseph's status
now in Egypt
he must have
had plenty of
money
he must have
had access
to horses
and chariots
we know that
the brothers
have made a
250 to 300
mile journey
themselves
that would have
been nothing
for a man
in Joseph's
position
he could have
trotted off
to Canaan
at any point
and revealed
himself to his
brothers
it's speculation
I know to say
that we know
that he saw
God's hand
in it
but God
ordains this
meeting to
happen
and not for
Joseph to
run off
and make
himself known
and again it's
interesting when you
look through the
life of Joseph
you remember
when he interprets
one of the
dreams
he says
remember me
today when you
come into
Pharaoh's
household
it's that thing
that Joseph
constantly wanted
to run on
ahead
and yet here
you see
something
different
Joseph is
older
and wiser
and has
recognised
that it's
God's
timing
and not
his own
that's
important
Joseph
hasn't revealed
himself
because he
has to
see them
come to
true repentance
and in some
ways they
have to
experience
perhaps a
little bit
of what
Joseph
experienced
this is
what Keith
Krell
the associate
pastor of
biblical
exposition
and Moody
Institute
says about
what they
experienced
over verses
7 to 21
and Joseph's
treatment of
them
this is what
he says
I would also
suggest that
Joseph repeats
with his
brothers the
exact scene
that has
happened to
him 22
years earlier
in chapter
37 verse
2 Joseph
brought his
father a bad
report about
his brothers
in 37
14 to 17
Jacob sent
Joseph on a
mission to
find out where
his brothers
were and what
they were doing
when Joseph
finds his
brothers
they're upset
because no
doubt they
think he's
spying on
them for a
second time
reading between
the lines it's
likely that
Joseph's brothers
accused him of
being both a
spy and an
ark
now in an
unusual turn of
events Joseph
accuses his
brothers of
being spies
no doubt
Joseph would
have protested
that he wasn't
spying just as
they now
protest
they would
have answered
him roughly
and without
any basis
for their
accusation
just as
Joseph now
answers them
they threw
him into a
pit just as
Joseph now
throws them
into a
dungeon
the parallels
between their
treatment of
Joseph and
the treatment
they're now
receiving is a
powerful stimulant
to their
sleeping
consciences
Joseph is
doing all of
this in the
hope that his
brothers will
wake up to
the nature of
the actions
he is hoping
this treatment
will make them
come clean
so the
brothers at
the end of
this first
family meeting
with Joseph
they're banged
up for want
of a better
word
and their
examination
will continue
further in
the confinements
of a prison
cell left to
reflect that
perhaps their
actions of the
past have
finally caught
up with them
of course
Joseph has
also revealed
an ulterior
motive here
in his request
that the only
way they can
prove their
innocence is to
bring back the
younger brother
by the treatment
of both Benjamin
and ultimately
of Jacob
Joseph will be
able to discern
here if there
has been a
spiritual change
in the brothers
since they
last met
and so
they're in
prison for
three days
and at the
end of
these three
days we've
got the
next part
of our
family meeting
part three
the solution
Joseph opens
this meeting
with an
extraordinary
declaration
he has
explained what
they must do
now he
wants to give
them something
more specific
but before
he does
that he
informs them
that he
fears God
he fears
God
it's the
first explicit
mention of
God in this
chapter
and I think
that we can
surmise that
Joseph given
his wisdom
is probably
aware that
God is now
working out
his bigger
plan
and Joseph
wants his
brothers to be
aware I
think firstly
that his
actions aren't
just of his
own thinking
it's not
just some
random
Egyptian
ruler here
that's decided
this is what's
going to happen
to these
boys
listen guys
he says
I fear
God
I fear
your God
and it's
that that
brings about
a realization
in the
brothers
their actions
have caused
or have led
to the
situation
they now
find themselves
in
they are
now facing
the crisis
in life
because of
what they've
done to
Joseph
and the
full open
and honest
confession
begins
you remember
this guy
some of you
as well
some of you
as look
old enough
to remember
Columbo
I didn't have
a TV
growing up
and we
would get
crammed in
the family
car on a
Friday night
to go to my
uncle and
aunties and
watch a bit
of Columbo
so Columbo
was a
favourite
in our
house
Columbo
had this
incredible
way about
him
of just
asking one
more question
to the
point of
real frustration
with the
criminal
before all
of a sudden
those who
you thought
had got
away with
it would
open up
with a
full on
confession
of how
they did
it
where
they did
it
what
they did
it
with
and yes
just bang
me up
and take
me away
to jail
now in
my dealings
my 14
years of
dealing
with the
criminal
fraternity
I never
once
really had
anybody
in the
prison
cell
confessing
in that
way
but
Columbo
could do
it
and there's
the answer
maybe they
needed to
watch more
more cop shows
with Columbo
in it
the brothers
though
are met
with this
full on
force of
God
Joseph
I fear
God
and that's
why
I've made
these decisions
and that's
why
I'm asking
you to use
this as your
solution to the
problem to
confirm that
you are not
spies
sent to see
where our
land is
vulnerable
but
within that
fear of
God
brings hope
it's a
chance of
hope for
the brothers
Joseph's
confession that
he fears
God will
allow them
to see
that perhaps
there will
be an
opportunity
of compassion
here
there will
be an
opportunity
for grace
if God's
character
is one
that they
believe
Joseph
is the
Egyptian
if one
that the
Egyptian
Joseph
is aware
of
yes
their
past
has caught
up with
them
finally
but the
mention
of God
is what
they need
to hear
that though
they've
tried to
hide their
actions
from human
perception
God
God has
been aware
of it
all along
and they
have lived
for 22
years
trying to
hide it
which sin
do you fear
being found
out for
because we
are not
unlike the
brothers here
simply
living as
I've
already
said
brings
about
guilt
it
will
friendships
betrayed
perhaps that
gossiping word
you uttered
that you
pray the
person
will never
hear about
maybe
that fiddling
of the
expenses
account
that you
hope
will remain
unnoticed
but what
the story
of Joseph
shows us
is
and the
story
of his
brothers
in a
sense
because
this is
really
the story
of Joseph's
brothers
here
it's
their
examination
here
it shows
us that
God sees
and knows
everything
and that
from human
perspectives
we may
think that
we've got
away with
it
and we
might well
get away
with the
sin for
many years
maybe until
the day
we face
God on
judgment
that is
the reality
that might
happen
but as
the brothers
remind us
here
we will
have to
make an
account
on judgment
day
for the
way that
we've
lived
in front
of a
God
who has
seen
it all
who has
known
it all
are there
dark
places
in your
life
that you're
holding
unconfessed
sin in
and what
is that
doing to
you on a
daily basis
as you
try to
live
for Jesus
Christ
confession
of sin
doesn't just
happen at
conversion
or shouldn't
just happen
at conversion
and yet
for a lot
of Christians
that is the
way it
works
are you
wondering why
you're not
connecting
with Christ
are you
wondering why
there's this
constant weight
on your
shoulders
what is that
sin that you
really worry
about the
person sitting
next to you
tonight
finding out
about
the one
that you
know
is damaging
the relationship
you have
with your
work
with your
church
family
with your
work
colleagues
with your
wife
with your
husband
with your
kids
I can
imagine
if you're
anything
like me
sometimes
there's dark
thoughts that
go through
our mind
and you
wonder how
on earth
can that
be
sin doesn't
make sense
in the life
of believers
it doesn't
apostle Paul
says you're
dead to sin
so why do
you end up
doing the
things
that we
don't want
to do
I would
say it's
better to
keep short
accounts
finding that
someone you
can trust
in your
church family
that you
know you
can go to
and talk
about this
sin with
and you
know the
reality of the
situation is
unconfessed
sin if it
remains that
way if you're
not a believer
tonight and
you have
unconfessed
sin when
you stand
before God
in judgment
that
unconfessed
sin
well it
will take
you to
hell
as a
Christian
you'll
stand before
God with
unconfessed
sin and
you'll have
nothing to
make an
account of
yourself for
in that
way
there is
hope
there is
hope
that if we
confess our
sins he's
faithful and
just to
forgive us
our sins
and cleanse
us from
all unrighteousness
what a great
verse that is
it's a promise
that we have
an offer
and perhaps
it's something
that we'd
be better
taking up
now sooner
rather than
later
family meeting
part four
I've not got
long to go
Joseph sends
them on the
way but he
initiates the
next part of
God's plan
he sends
them for
what they
came for
but he
sends them
back with a
full refund
of the
cost
and I
think it's
in this
discovery that
we finally have
the brothers
acknowledgement
that God
is at work
that he is
explicitly at
work
verse 28
it says
that their
hearts sank
what is this
that God
has done
to us
yes there's
been a
jailhouse
confession
there's
recognition
that they've
finally been
found out
the realisation
fully that
they are now
answerable to
God for
this
maybe
Joseph's
motivation was
to see if his
brothers could
still be bought
off with money
as they had
been with him
but I suggest
more appropriate
it was an act
of love
he knew
that they were
going to have
to return
that they were
going to have
to buy
more
and I
think he
knew that
given their
dealings he
would also
have known
that they
would have
felt and
been fearful
of accusation
of theft
whatever his
motivation in
this instance
God uses
elements of
grace and
fear to
bring about
a realisation
of their
guilt
and what I
was just
saying a few
moments ago
that is a
sign of the
Lord's
discipline in
our lives
that he
often uses
this combination
of grace
and fear
remember reading
a book by
Jackie Chan
not Jackie
Chan
I hope it
wasn't Jackie
Chan
maybe does he
write commentaries
I don't know
Francis Chan
where he talks
about you
shouldn't be
frightened about
preaching about
hell
because it
appears in
scripture the
reality is there
that if you
never come to
know Christ
hell is there
elements of
grace and
fear
well I think
that's okay
but there is
grace in this
situation and
that's how God
brings them to
this situation
it's a real
picture here
Isaiah 55
come and buy
without money
without cost
and Joseph
sent them on
the way saying
listen you've
got what you
needed without
money without
cost because I
know that you're
going to come
back to something
even greater
fear and grace
should bring us
to a place of
repentance in
our lives a
place of
dependence and
accountability on
God on the
work of Jesus
because that is
the only way
folks it's the
only way that
life can work
the last family
meeting back to
the beginning
the return to
Jacob
probably brought
back men
very different
from the ones
who had left
perhaps more
conscious of God
than they'd ever
been before
Jacob on the
other hand
not so
the story of
the journey
the discovery
of the silver
the confession
that Simeon
was left behind
that Benjamin's
release from
Jacob's apron
strings is the
only possibility
of Simeon's
freedom
brought about a
response from
Jacob that was
not godly
and yet in my
dealings with
Christians and
my conversations
and perhaps my
own experiences
it's a response
toward God that
is not uncommon
Jacob's first
thing is to be
faithless
he blames
you have deprived
me
his next response
is one to be
pessimistic
everything is
against me
his next response
is to be
fearful
fearful that his
son will be
harmed
and that question
again is do you
recognize any of
these things
that when you're
met with a
solution and
response to
what's going
on in your
life
and God
says do it
my way
and you say
you've done
all this to
me how on
earth can I
trust you
now
how can I
have faith
in you now
God when I'm
going through
this difficulty
maybe you're
tempted this
evening to
respond in the
way that Jacob
did under the
sternest of
tests
when your
examination
begins
and as I
said near the
start perhaps
God is
ordained in
fact not
perhaps
God ordains
everything
and this
difficult time
that you're
going through
do you need
to come back
to a place of
repentance
you'll see that
in the upcoming
weeks that
unlike Jacob
Joseph has
come to know
and trust
that in
adversity God
will work out
his purposes
he's learned
the beauty
of being
carried by
God
to allow
God's plans
to be
outworked
Jacob must
and will
come to
learn this
but at
present he's
so far from
doing so
and finally
this evening
I think we
should consider
more about
Jesus in
this situation
Peter Granger
in his book
Foundations for
Faith has a
really helpful
suggestion for
finishing the
thoughts on
this chapter
he says we
could look at
the actions of
Joseph in
this chapter
and ask the
question is
he judge or
is he saviour
is he judging
the brothers or
is he saving
them and I
think perhaps
it's an element
of both
he must lead
them to a
place of
considering their
sin before he
can grant them
freedom from it
and so it is
with Jesus
Jesus like
Joseph suffered
an injustice
a crime against
him
but Jesus
unlike Joseph
the crime
against him
was the
perfect crime
a friend of
mine at
college recently
described the
murder of
Jesus as the
perfect murder
and I remember
sort of taking a
step back going
what do you
mean by that
but it was
the perfect
murder
father forgive
them they don't
know what
they're doing
they don't
know that in
putting Christ
on the cross
salvation for
the world is
possible
that's why it
was the
perfect murder
and so judge
or save you
when we think
about Jesus
and Joseph
Joseph does
judge his
brothers
to bring about
true repentance
to bring about
God's plan
for the eventual
salvation
of many
it says
Romans 2
16 tells us
that God will
judge us all
one day
through Jesus
Jesus is the
judge
but then
Hebrews 9
says just as
people are
destined to die
once and after
that to face
judgment
so Christ
was sacrificed
once to take
away the sins
of many
and he will
appear a second
time
not to bear
sin
but to bring
salvation for
those who are
waiting for him
you see
forgiveness is
possible
salvation is
made possible
for the people
of Israel
and the world
as they come
to Egypt
through God's
ordained life
and Joseph's
circumstances
however God
ordains the
death of Christ
to lead to the
salvation of the
world
and then as we
examine ourselves
in light of this
and ask ourselves
that question
do I need
forgiveness of
my sin
like Joseph's
brothers did
the only
conclusion we
can come to
is that we do
because there is
not one of you
is perfect out
here tonight
not one of you
is
and you know
that you would
admit to that
in private
conversations
and because
you're not
perfect you do
not meet God's
standard
because God's
standard is
perfection
that's why Jesus
met his standard
perfection
him who knew
no sin
died in our
place
and so as you
answer yes to
that question of
needing forgiveness
I'll leave you again
with that verse
for some reason
it's repeated twice
but maybe that's not
a bad thing
if we confess our
sins he is faithful
and just
to forgive us our
sins
and cleanse us
from all unrighteousness
as you will see
in the chapters coming
this reunion between
Joseph and his
brothers
is a glorious one
but there's still
got things that they
need to work through
but confession is the
place where they begin
let's pray
father we do thank you
for your word
we thank you for all
that it can teach us
father we thank you
that your word
points to Jesus
the author
the perfecter
of our faith
lord we praise you
for Jesus this evening
lord we praise you
that because of Jesus
we can be forgiven
from our sin
that we can be made
righteous
before you
lord I pray for the
rest of this evening
whatever we've got
planned this evening
that we'll continue
to think of you
to think about
your precious gift
of salvation
for us
lord we thank you
for being here
with us this evening
and I pray that
lord anything
that I have said
that isn't of you
lord you will
deafen ears to that
now
but lord we thank you
that your word
will not return void
in your precious name
amen
or
for