Joseph’s Dad was the guy named Jacob. There are 7 whole chapters in Genesis that talk about him. Taking up this much Biblical real estate proves that Jacob was a significant “Dad” and “Forefather” of our faith.
He is renowned for being one of the founders of Israel. The nation of Israel is actually named after him as we know that God changed his name from Jacob to Israel. From him all 12 tribes that make up Israel are named after his sons. Jacob is obviously a significant Father.
Jacob lived a long time and had a lot of influence on his sons as he lived to the ripe old age of 147 years old. Therefore, there’s a longtime example provided by Jacob of Fatherhood.
Yet, as we have seen, Jacob, like all people was not perfect. He made some mistakes. Yet, God noted those along with his many triumphant moments to teach us a lot about faith, following God, and even Fatherhood.
God loves the title “Father” as a matter of fact, it’s the only title that both God and a man both can own. Likewise, isn’t it interesting that even though Jesus was born of a virgin; the Heavenly Father wanted His own Son to have an Earthly Father.
God affirms Fatherhood more than anyone and today we are going to join Him through the life of Jacob.
Transition: From the life of Jacob we learn about our Dad’s. We pause to recognize their role in our lives and the blessings they are. Today, we will celebrate their place in our lives.
Transitional Sentence: From Jacob’s example; we see the blessing of a Dad who is a man of God. Why is a “man of God” such a blessing to a home?
I. Men of God Point Us In the Right Direction
Vs. 1-2- “Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said to his sons, “Why are you staring at one another? He said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt...”
Explanation:
When we meet Jacob today, we find him at a new season of his life. When we first met Jacob he was anything but a man of God. He rightfully bore the name of “Jacob” which means: Sup-planter, or deceiver.
Jacob was a self-driven man. Through manipulation he stole his brothers birthright and blessing. Through manipulation, he tried to get one up on his Father-in-law but he was out smarted by Laban who was even more manipulative.
Yet, one-night Jacob had a wrestling match with God and that changed everything. He had an encounter with the one whom many believe was an Old Testament appearance of Jesus Christ.
Theologians and Bible experts call this a “theophany.” In this wrestling match God gave Jacob a limb; and a new name. He walked with God in a different way. He had learned to depend on God, seek God, and trust God more.
This is one hallmark of a godly man. He has had a “god-event” in his life. Like Jacob he came face to face with God. His foundation for the way he lived his life was shaken and changed; and God replaced it with a new foundation.
From this, when struggles and trials came; he looked at them differently; and led his family differently.
In verse 1, we find that what Joseph prophesied came to pass. Famine and hard times came. The result was that according to this verse, the sons of Jacob did not know what to do. Yet, Jacob did.
Jacob’s boys were paralyzed in fear. Yet, their father was looking around in faith. Jacob had learned to look for where God was working and providing. He had learned to listen and lead; instead of fear and fret.
In turn, Jacob came to his sons and said: “Why are you staring at one another” ... I have heard that there is grain in Egypt...” vs. 1-2a
Jacob had a new foundation for his life. It was a foundation of faith.
In Proverbs 24:3 we read: “Through godly wisdom a life, a home, and a family is built, and through understanding it is established on a sound foundation.”
It is interesting to note that God called Jacob by three different names at three different stages and seasons of his life:
a) In the beginning he was called; Jacob because it denotes he was a deceiver.
b) In the second phase of his life he is called; Israel because now he was contender/wrestler with
God.
c) In the final phase he is called “Jeshurun.” This means: Upright.
This name is noted in Isaiah 44:1-3a that says: “You heard now, O Jacob my servant, and Israel whom I have chosen. Thus says the Lord who made you and formed you from the womb, who will help you; Fear not, O Jacob My servant; and you , Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground, I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring.”
The title “Jeshurun” means: “straight and upright.” Jacob became a man that was amazingly committed to God. He was a man of worship. He was the worship leader of his family. He knew who God was and celebrated the provision of the Heavenly Father; and in doing so provided as a Father himself by pointing his boys to Egypt where God was providing.
Jacob had lived long enough to know a fact: The fact is; everything in life can change. In their case; the weather changed, the food situation changed; the family situation changed because their mother had died.
Yet, Jacob knew that God had not changed. He knew that God had chosen their family to fulfill the divine plan first promised to “Father Abraham.” So instead of looking around staring at one another; Jacob looked around to see where God was providing; and he noticed that God had provided in Egypt.
Jacob became a man who pointed his family in the right direction. He pointed them to a perfect Heavenly Father who would provide for them needs; and in turn, pointed his boys to Egypt in the time of famine.
Illustration: Michael and James Jordan
Michael Jordan reflected on his relationship with his Dad saying: “My father James was my rock.” Without my Dad I would have never been successful. Every time he came to see me play basketball I knew that two things were in the house; my #1 coach in life, and my #1 fan in life.”
Application:
Jacob was like this as a Father. He was a coach and fan all at the same time.
Like a coach, Jacob knew where their help would come from. He knew God was working and pointed his family in that direction. He drew attention to the activity and provision of God. He had the right foundation. His trust was in the Lord.
Proverbs 12:3 says: “ You can’t find firm footing in a swamp, but a life rooted in God stands firm.” (Message)
Jacob knew where his families security and foundation was found. It was in God.
Proverbs 14: 26 says: “Reverence for God gives a man deep strength; his children have a place of refuge and security.”
In the circumstances of Genesis 41, we find that while to boys sat staring at each other hoping someone would have the answers to the problems they were facing; Jacob was looking around, seeking for God’s hand at work; and in turn, Jacob sent his boys to Egypt.
Transitional Sentence: From Jacob’s example; we see the blessing of a Dad who is a man of God. Why is a “man of God” such a blessing a home?
II. Men of God Love Deep and Protect Well
vs. 4- “But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brother brothers, for he said, “I am afraid that harm may befall him.”
Explanation:
Often we think about Jacob we think negatively when it comes to the fear and favoritism when it comes to his son Benjamin.
We read about it in verse 4: “ But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brother brothers, for he said, “I am afraid that harm may befall him.”
While we might rightfully focus on the “fear” and “favoritism” as a negative; there is an underlying positive that we don’t need to miss. You see, Jacob loved his boy Benjamin deeply and in every way wanted to protect him well.
Shouldn’t ever Dad have those two ingredients in their parenting? Let me ask you:
a) Shouldn’t we love our kids deeply?
b) Is there a sin in the protective nature of a Father?
Understand this: Jacob had the right ingredients; he just needed to spread it out a little further.
What does that look like? I think it looks like Jesus.
Jesus told a story about a Dad and his boy didn’t he? It reminds me a lot of the type of love we find in Jacobs attitude toward Benjamin. In the Bible we know very little about Benjamin. He is not noted as other boys as being a good hunter like Jacob’s brother Esau.
Likewise, He is not noted as being special to his Mom like Jacob, as the fact is that Rachel died in childbirth delivering Benjamin and in turn she wanted to name him; Benoni which means: “He’s a pain.”
Yet, Jacob did not want his boy to be strapped with such a terrible name; instead, he called him “Benjamin” which means: “son of my right hand.”
As Jacob cared for Benjamin, he sought to love and protect him.
In verse 3-4 we note that when Jacob sent the 10 brothers to buy grain; he kept Benjamin home because he did not want “any harm to befall him.”
In the Bible Jesus said, “ I will not leave you comfortless. I will talk to the Father and He will give you another Comforter; and He will not leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit that leads you into all truth.” John 14: 15-16
The official title of the Holy Spirit is the word “Paraclete” which means: “one who goes beside you.”
Are there any Star wars fans in here? If so, some people have spiritualized Star Wars and have said, the Holy Spirit is sort of like our Yoda; but much—much better.”
One guy said it this way in a publication he wrote called “An Open letter to Yoda.” In it he said: “I love Yoda who sounds like Kermit the frog on steroids. I love that he’s two feet tall and can whoop up on bad guys three times his size. I especially like that he opens us a can of Star Wars kick tail and jumps around like a Mexican jumping bean and leans on his staff and limps off into the sunset. Yet, the Holy Spirit is a real person, a counselor who will never leave you. He leads you to truth. He’s not an impersonal force, He’s your life long guide and tutor. He’s more than an energy source, he has will and intelligence. He has hearing. He has knowledge and sympathy and ability to love and see and think. He is a person. “
Because Luke’s Father was “Darth Vader” Yoda ( who joined the dark side) Yoda became his “father fill-in” for Luke Skywalker. He gave guidance and protection to Luke.
In Ephesians 6:4 the Bible tells us as Dad’s that we join the Holy Spirit as the Bible says: “Fathers bring your children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord...”
The Greek word is “ektrepho” which means “to nourish them to maturity.” It is a picture of daily involvement of feeding them; not just with food for physical nourishment; but faith for their spiritual nourishment.
A child left to themselves will eat junk food right? But the same is true in our culture. Have you seen how much junk is being fed to our kids in the world today? God help us walk and watch over our kids shoulders like the Holy Spirit does us! Help us guard them against evil influences and teach them the truth. Help us give them the milk and meat of God’s Word and raise godly leaders that can stand up to the world attacks that targets our kids and grandkids!
If we are more interested in their physical diet than we are their spiritual diet; we’ve missed the mark of parenting.
In the same way Jacob was concerned about Benjamins physical welfare; Godly Dads are equally concerned about our kids spiritual welfare.
Illustration: Protect your kids-Native American
In the early American historical archives, a unique practice is recorded of how the native American Dad’s would train their boy’s to become men.
On the night of a boy’s thirteenth birthday, after learning hunting, scouting, and fishing skills, he was put to one final test.
He was placed in a dense forest to spend the entire night alone. Until then, he had never been away from the security of the family and the tribe. But on this night, he was blindfolded and taken several miles away. When he took off the blindfold, he was in the middle of a thick woods and he was terrified! Every time a twig snapped, he visualized a wild animal ready to pounce.
After what seemed like an eternity, dawn broke and the first rays of sunlight entered the interior of the forest. Looking around, the boy saw flowers, trees, and the outline of the path.
Then, to his utter astonishment, he beheld the figure of a man standing just a few feet away, armed with a bow and arrow. It was his father. He had been there all night long. (Our Daily Bread, October 1995)
Application:
Men of God love deep and protect well. That’s what Jacob did with Benjamin; and that’s what Jesus does with us; He sends His Holy Spirit to “father us” and if you have a Dad that’s partnered with the Holy Spirit to love and protect you; you’ve received a special gift from God.
Do me a favor, let’s thank and celebrate the Dad’s here today. Listen: They’ve done something special.
Did you know that according to Lifeway Research that Father’s day is the single lowest church attendance holiday in America—lower than Labor day, Memorial day and even the 4th of July.
Listen: If your Dad prioritized going to church today; he’s sending a message to his family. One like Joshua. He’s saying: “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” If he’s sitting next to you, why not say: “Dad, you’re the man—God’s man!”
You’re a “Moses man” because he instructed the men saying:
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)
If you have a Dad that is God’s man and a Moses man! You’ve got something special.
Transitional Sentence: From Jacob’s example; we see the blessing of a Dad who is a man of God. Why is a “man of God” such a blessing a home?
III. Men of God Are Blessed By Kids of God
vs. 6- “Now Joseph was the ruler over the land; and was the one who sold to all the people of the land; and Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down to him with their faces to the ground.”
Explanation:
As we read about Jacob’s son Joseph, we are reminded of his brothers as we read:
vs. 6- “Now Joseph was the ruler over the land; and was the one who sold to all the people of the land; and Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down to him with their faces to the ground.”
Isn’t it interesting that these brothers sold Joseph as a slave to Egypt; and now, Joseph will now sell seed (grain) to his brothers who have no choice but to go to Egypt to stay alive.
Likewise, the dream that God had for Joseph now becomes true.
The reward of a godly life for a godly Dad will always be godly kids.
Solomon explains this saying: “Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court” Psalm 127:4–5
These lines portray a father as a warrior and his children as arrows in his quiver.
A soldier with his “quiver full” was fully armed and ready for battle. Children are like arrows and Dads are like archers.
Children are a vital weapon against the forces of evil in the world. Children, like arrows, can be sent out into the world to advance the cause of God’s kingdom.
Joseph was that kind of kid and he advanced the kingdom agenda on earth.
Like an archer; the Dad has to have a target. He has to have a goal to aim at. Ultimately, the goal is hit the target.
Let me ask you: “What’s your ultimate family goal? What target are you shooting at? What is the aim of your family?
Some are simply trying to keep their children from the enemy. I understand this; as mentioned before, with Benjamin Jacob wanted to keep his son from harm. He wanted to keep his son from the hands of the enemy. THEIR GOAL IS PRESERVATION.
Yet, with Joseph, Jacob didn’t realize it; but by God’s grace, the Heavenly Father had a goal for Joseph’s life; He wanted Joseph aimed at the enemy. GOD’S GOAL FOR JOSEPH WAS SALVATION.
God wanted to use Joseph to strike at the heart of the enemies plans to keep the world from knowing the true and living God; and God the Father hit the bulls eye.
I pray that’s our aim Dad’s for your kids. I pray every family here will have kids that hits the bullseye and penetrates the darkness and deception of this world.
Concluding Illustration: What’s your bullseye?
A salesman is driving down a country road when he sees a young kid in front of a barn. On the barn are 5 targets with arrows in the bulls-eye of each target. Screeching to a stop he runs out to the kid amazed that this kid could shoot so well. "Son," he says, "how did you hit all those bulls eyes?"
"Well sir," the boy replied, "I take the arrow and lick my fingers like this, then I take my fingers and straiten the feathers like this, take aim with my hand against my cheek, let go and wherever the arrow hits I draw a bulls-eye.”
Invitation:
Today, I hope you’re not living your life like that. I hope you’re not just shooting from the hip. I pray that your goal and aim is for your kids, like arrows that are shot out into the world; will pierce the darkness; and bring the light of Jesus into where ever they go.
I have at the top of my stairs a scripture saying that I wanted my kids to see every day. It simply says this: “ I have no greater joy than to know my children walk in truth.”
That’s what Joseph did and it was a great honor; not just to Jacob; His earthly Father, but to God, His heavenly Father.
