We have been studying the life of an Old Testament character by the name of Joseph.
Joseph’s story is filled with such emotion.
He encountered all kinds of turmoil.
And yet, Joseph navigated every situation with absolute faith in God.
Joseph’s story reminds us that…
Sometimes God may seem SILENT, but He is never ABSENT.
Let’s quickly recap his story.
Joseph was loved by his father.
But he was hated by his brothers.
One day they threw Joseph down into a well.
They intended to leave him there to die.
But his brothers decided the compassionate thing to do would be to make a little side cash, so they sold him to some Egyptian traders.
That decision saved his life, but they went home and lied to their father saying Joseph had been killed by a wild animal.
After being sold as a slave in Egypt,
Joseph became a servant for a guy named Potiphar
Joseph was given great authority until his boss’ wife falsely accused him of rape
and back into a pit he went, only this time his pit was a lonely prison cell.
While he was in prison he gained authority and earned the respect of the warden and his fellow prisoners.
He interpreted some dreams for a couple of inmates.
One loved his interpretation.
The other, not so much.
He had a 100% success rate on effective interpretation,
But only a 50% approval rating, if you know what I mean.
One inmate promised to put in a good word for Joseph upon his release.
But…when he got out of jail, he forgot all about Joseph.
It would be two long years later until he remembered Joseph.
That happened when Pharaoh had a dream of his own.
Joseph explained the meaning of Pharaoh’s dream.
Seven years of plenty were on the horizon,
Followed by seven years of famine in Egypt.
Pharaoh was convinced that Joseph’s interpretation was probably accurate.
He made Joseph the Prime Minister of Egypt,
that way he could prepare the country for the crisis that was on the way.
Joseph’s job was to save the lives of the Egyptians.
During the first seven years there was an abundance of food in the land
And Joseph diligently set aside a portion of the food for when the future.
It all happened, just as Joseph had said.
And this is where we will begin the final installment of Joseph’s story today.
“Eventually, however, the famine spread throughout the land of Egypt as well. And when the people cried out to Pharaoh for food, he told them, ‘Go to Joseph, and do whatever he tells you.’
So, with severe famine everywhere, Joseph opened up the storehouses and distributed grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout the land of Egypt.
And people from all around came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph because the famine was severe throughout the world.” - Genesis 41:55-57 (NLT2)
The famine Joseph had warned them about had finally come.
It would have been catastrophic had it not been for God’s provision through Joseph’s plan.
Thousands and thousands of lives were saved….
including Joseph’s family, over in the land of Canaan
Food was a scare commodity.
Joseph’s father, Jacob, had heard there were provisions in Egypt.
Something had to be done.
So, Jacob he sent his ten eldest sons to Egypt to buy grain for the family.
It was their only hope of survival.
But Jacob didn’t allow his youngest son, Benjamin to make the trip.
Benjamin was Jacob’s new favorite son.
Benjamin was Joseph’s only full brother.
You see, Jacob had had two wives
Benjamin and Joseph were the only sons of Rachel, Jacob’s first love.
Since Joseph was gone, Jacob couldn’t bear the thought of losing Benjamin.
So, he kept Benjamin at home and his 10 brothers made the trip to Egypt.
Little did they know how this trip would change their lives.
You see, the life the brothers had treated so carelessly over 20 years ago,
would be the only life that could save their own.
Joseph was a teenager when these brothers betrayed him.
Many seasons of pain and suffering have passed since then.
Now he is a grown man, closing in on 40 years of age.
Joseph is now the Prime Minister of Egypt,
the one who’s mercy his brothers now need the most.
Little did they know when they arrived in Egypt, the Prime Minister standing before them, was that same teenage boy they had abandoned and sold so many years ago.
“So, Jacob’s sons arrived in Egypt along with others to buy food, for the famine was in Canaan as well. Since Joseph was governor of all Egypt and in charge of selling grain to all the people, it was to him that his brothers came.
When they arrived, they bowed before him with their faces to the ground.
Joseph recognized his brothers instantly, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. ‘Where are you from?’ he demanded.
‘From the land of Canaan,’ they replied. ‘We have come to buy food.’ Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they didn’t recognize him.” - Genesis 42:5-8 (NLT2)
Can you believe this?
Little do they know Jacob’s sons are at the mercy of their betrayed brother.
He has what they need.
They’re desperate.
Without Joseph’s approval, their lives may be over.
They will starve to death.
Joseph decided to turn up the heat on his brothers.
He accused them of being spies looking to see where the kingdom was unprotected.
Joseph’s brothers fear for their lives.
They just came for food.
That’s it!
There is no hidden agenda.
They explain they are all a part of one family.
And in their desperate ramblings they reveal they have one brother still at home
and another that was lost many years ago.
Of course, Joseph was glad to hear his father was still alive.
But this is the first time, he gets a glimpse into what his brothers must have told his father about why he had never made it home that night so many years ago.
Could his father have thought he was dead all this time?
Joseph throws them in prison to buy himself a little time to think things over.
He knows who they are.
They still have no idea about him.
Three days later Joseph returns to the brothers.
Joseph makes them a deal.
He had Simeon bound and taken back to prison where he would remain,
until Benjamin would be brought to Egypt.
This was how they were to prove their innocence, that they were not spies.
This is how Joseph would get to see his younger brother.
Joseph listened as the brothers began arguing among themselves.
Reuben told his brothers that he felt like they were being punished for the way they had treated Joseph. He said, I told you we shouldn’t have done it.
Little did Reuben, or any of the brothers know, that their betrayed brother
was standing right there in the room with them.
Since Joseph had been using an interpreter,
they didn’t realize that he understood every word of their discussion.
Joseph was overwhelmed with emotion.
He had to look away to hide the tears.
He took a deep breath, then turned back to the bickering brothers
and ordered they be released to head home to get their youngest brother.
He had their bags be filled with grain.
He also made sure the silver they had used to pay for the grain was returned to their bags as well.
So, nine brothers begin their journey home,
while their brother Simeon remains a prisoner in Egypt.
About half way home they stopped for the night.
One of them opened his bag to get some food for his donkey.
That’s when he discovered the silver he used to buy grain had been returned.
Their hearts sank.
Now the Prime Minister would think they were THIEVES as well as SPIES.
As soon as they arrived at home they all emptied their sacks of grain to feed their starving families only to discover each man’s silver hidden among the grain.
To steal from the Prime Minister would surely mean death for them all!
Then the brothers tried to explain the absence of another of Jacob’s son.
They explained the Prime Minister’s accusations
and that Benjamin would have to accompany them to Egypt,
in order for Simeon to be released.
“But Jacob said, ‘My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in sorrow.’ - Genesis 42:38 (NIV)
There was nothing more to say.
Sorry Simeon.
There was no need to discuss this topic again,
That is until the food ran out.
The famine continued, and the food acquired in Egypt was gone.
What now?
The brothers knew there was no need to go to Egypt without their youngest brother.
Jacob had no choice.
He released Benjamin into the care of his half-brothers along with the original silver, and more money to purchase food for a second time.
Judah stepped up promising to take full responsibility for Benjamin.
Jacob also sent along some gifts of their land to try and smooth over the accusations of thievery and spy craft.
I imagine few words were spoken by the brothers on their way back to Egypt.
They were probably lost in their own thoughts about all that had transpired.
When they finally arrived in Egypt,
the brothers were taken to Joseph’s house.
There, they would sit down for a feast with the Prime Minister.
None of them aware they would be dining with their long-lost brother, Joseph.
Simeon was even released from prison to join them for the meal.
They had their gifts, ready to present, hoping to find favor with Joseph.
They sat in awkward silence as they waited for Joseph to arrive.
When Joseph entered the room, seeing all his brothers together for the first time in so many years, brought a huge wave of emotion.
He tried to steady his voice as he inquired about their father.
He then introduced himself to his younger brother, pretending not to know who he was.
Joseph was so deeply moved by the sight of his young brother that he had to hurry out of the room to look for a place to have another good cry.
This was such an overwhelming experience for Joseph, as you might imagine.
Joseph was finally able to pull himself together and return for the feast.
He had ordered the brothers be arranged around the table according to their birth order.
He made sure that Benjamin be given a portion five times larger than the rest.
The brothers were astonished that he could know so much about them, even down to their birth order, but they didn’t say a word.
The next morning all 11 confused brothers prepared to leave Egypt.
They purchased their grain, loaded their donkeys, and were ready to return to begin their journey home to their father.
They didn’t know it yet, but Joseph made sure their money was right back in the mouth of their sacks again.
And this time he had his silver goblet, the one that he drank from, placed in Benjamin’s bag.
Joseph framed his little brother!
When they were just outside of town, Joseph sent his servants racing after his brothers to accuse them of stealing his silver cup.
The brothers were bewildered!
There was no way they would steal from the Prime Minister.
They urged the servants to search their sacks to prove their innocence.
They even went so far as to say if one of them did steal the goblet,
he should be killed, and the rest of them would go back to Egypt as slaves!
LITTLE DID THEY KNOW.
The officials began the search.
They started with the oldest brother’s bag.
One by one each bag was opened, but no goblet was found.
No goblet until they reached the final bag, the bag belonging to Benjamin.
When the servants pulled the beautiful goblet out of the bag,
the brothers didn’t know what to say.
They were all taken back to the city.
As they entered the house they threw themselves at Joseph’s feet.
Judah tries to explain their entire story to Joseph.
He told Joseph everything as he pled for Benjamin’s life.
Judah knew his own father’s life depended on the survival of his baby brother.
He knew he couldn’t be responsible for taking another son from Jacob.
I think it was in that moment that it became evident that so much had changed.
Joseph knew he was no longer the prideful and immature tattle-tale
that had often fueled his brothers’ jealousy and anger.
And he realized that his brothers were different too.
These men were no longer the boys who would readily sacrifice their brother’s life in anger, or for personal gain.
The tension in the room was powerful and profound.
Joseph’s brothers are in for the shock of a lifetime.
Try to imagine the overwhelming emotions that were experienced in that room.
“Joseph could stand it no longer. There were many people in the room, and he said to his attendants, ‘Out, all of you!’
So, he was alone with his brothers when he told them who he was.
Then he broke down and wept.
He wept so loudly the Egyptians could hear him, and word of it quickly carried to Pharaoh’s palace. ‘I am Joseph!’ he said to his brothers. ‘Is my father still alive?’
But his brothers were speechless! (I bet they were speechless! Can you imagine?
They were stunned to realize that Joseph was standing there in front of them.”
- Genesis 45:1-3 (NLT2)
Can’t you just picture the look on the faces of these brothers as they get the news that Joseph is alive…from Joseph himself!?
Joseph’s dream had come true.
There they were on their faces before him, just as he had said.
Joseph was finally was able to reveal his true identity to his brothers.
And for the first time, in more than 20 years, I wonder if he felt at home.
After all, these were his brothers.
Joseph was finally back with his family.
But the brothers were still in shock.
They had to be wondering…
What would Joseph do to them?
Joseph has all the power now.
He could easily seek revenge for what they had done to him.
And who would blame him?
Even the brothers would understand.
Joseph must have seen the fear in their eyes
as he began to explain his perspective on the last two decades.
And this is where something profound happens.
Something that really does have the potential to change your life.
“Don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives.
This famine that has ravaged the land for two years will last five more years, and there will be neither plowing nor harvesting.
God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors.” - Genesis 45:5-7 (NLT2)
Wow!
Can you believe this?
Joseph said, God sent me here?
Are you kidding me?
I thought it was the brothers.
I thought this was all their fault.
Joseph demonstrates such incredible insight
as he remembered something we so often forget.
Joseph knew God was in control…and he LIVED LIKE IT.
Joseph had faith that God was with him…
When he was living safely at home.
When He was in a well.
When he was sold into slavery.
When he was on his way to Egypt.
When he was at Potiphar’s house.
When he was falsely accused and thrown into prison.
When he was elevated to Prime Minister.
God was with Joseph through the 7 years of plenty
and now He is there in these 7 years of famine.
He knew God was always with him.
He believed God was fully in control.
He had this incredible faith in God.
Joseph saw the world through an entirely different set of lenses than his brothers.
Joseph understood the sovereignty of God.
Joseph believed God was in CONTROL (in the good times and in the bad times) and he believed that God could be TRUSTED.
Joseph told his brothers, “God is the reason I am here.
He is the One who put me here. He sent me here ahead of you to save your lives.”
“So it was God who sent me here, not you! And he is the one who made me an adviser to Pharaoh—the manager of his entire palace and the governor of all Egypt.” - Genesis 45:8 (NLT2)
As the truth of what Joseph said was sinking in…
Joseph hugged his brothers, he wept with them, and he even laughed with them.
They were finally a family again.
Then Joseph took this act of reconciliation one step further.
He longed to see his father and he didn’t want to lose his brothers again.
So, he insisted they come and live in the nearby land of Goshen, all of them.
They were to bring their wives, their children, their flocks, and everything they owned.
The famine was expected to last another five years.
With his family nearby, Joseph knew he could continue to provide for them there.
So it was, that in his old age, Jacob was reunited with his lost son.
It is an amazing TRUE story of BIG faith in a BIG God.
Just think what God could do in your life if you could learn to trust Him on this level.
BIG faith requires that I acknowledge that God IS IN CONTROL
and I refuse to take HIS ROLE.
The brothers had evil intent, but God had good intent, and like always, God won.
Although God seemed so silent for so many years in Joseph’s life,
He was always right there…in the pit, on the ship, in the palace, in the dungeon, and in every scene in the story of Joseph all the way from beginning to end.
Remember this…
You will never experience all the good that can come from the bad in your life
until you are willing to ACKNOWLEDGE God in the bad
and REFUSE TO PLAY God in the good.
Joseph models for us incredible faith, character, strength, dignity, and grace.
He was a human being, just like you and me.
The thing that set him apart….
Joseph was filled with GOD’S SPIRIT and he lived each day like God could be TRUSTED.
I want to live like Joseph, don’t you?
The good news is we can.
Prayer
