Joseph Genesis 45

 Joseph in the Old Testament

   Genesis 45 is but a short part of the story of Joseph.  Most of us are well-acquainted with his life in Genesis.  He is mentioned also in Hebrews 11:22 ---in the faith hall of fame from the Old Testament.  Today we read of the discovery that his brothers found that he was actually alive and second in authority next to Pharaoh in Egypt. It is a dramatic scene.

  Today I want to discuss what he says in vs 5 and repeats in vs 7.  "Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life."  Vs 8 as well, " So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God and he hath ...made me lord of all Egypt ( vs 9)."

So all of his experiences from the pit, to prison ( accused falsely by Potiphar's wife) were steps along the way to God's overuling plan for preserving life?  We neglected to mention most of the brothers wanted to murder him , and instead they sold him into slavery.

This is definitely a Romans 8:28 moment.

Joseph throughout did not give up his faith. Instead he was a man of deep faith in God.  He did an excellent job for Potiphar , but was falsely accused by his wife .  Potiphar had him put in prison 39:20 of Genesis. " But the LORD was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. v. 21

I wonder how or if  we can relate to Joseph.  He was being mistreated by family, government, and he could have said God was doing that too.  But his experience of disappointment, difficulty and discouragement did not cause him to give up on God.  God had not given up on him.

All of us can identify with Joseph yet I wonder how many of us would have been as magnaminous as he was.

He forgave his brothers who did such terrible things to him.  He saw the big picture of how all of this led to God's solution for preserving the Israelites in Egypt.  How many of us would be like Joseph who saw the big picture?

When we experience loss, and disappointment do we let God heal us in His way, or do we take it out on others who we blame for our situations?

J.R.R.Tolkien said it this way, "  All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes a fire shall be woken, a light from the shadows shall spring; renewed shall be blade that was broken, the crownless shall be king."

In our disappointment, we should say His appointment.  God sends us to others to encourage, assist and be there.  In that process there is preservation by His characteristics and love.  People are brought to faith by our intercession and community witness as well as individual morality as hopefully we point to God in Christ.

In summary, I take a short note of Joseph again in his life.  In ch 37 of Genesis Joseph has dreams.  His mistake may have been telling the dreams of him being over everyone to others in the family. The brothers acted out of their anger to strip him of his coat of many colors. 37:23 He endeavoured to live a spiritual and godly life.  He said in the temptation by Potiphar's wife, " How can then I do this great wickedness , and sin against God?"  ( laying with Potiphar's wife) 37 :9

The contant refrain we here in Genesis is ,"  But the LORD was with Joseph, and showed him mercy..." 39:21  He did not give the credit to himself after telling Pharaoh the answers to his dreams, " It is not in me; God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace." 41:16

Joseph acts out of his own feelings of compassion for his brothers and father in ch. 45.  He realizes that God was directing him to the place he was, and that through it he would be God's instrument to save the people of Israel from starvation.

What a great lesson in this part of Scripture.  It teaches us so much about faithfulness to God, family and lessons in forgiveness.  

" O LORD, our heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be ministered unto , but to minister; We beseech thee to bless all who, following in His steps, give themselves to the service of their fellow men.  Endue them with patience, wisdom, and courage to strengthen the weak and raise up those who fall; that , being inspired by thy love, they may worthily minister in thy Name to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy ; for the sake of Him who laid down His life for us, the same thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. "  BCP, 1928, p. 43 " For Christian Service"