About a year ago the world’s slowest police chase took place in Washington County Oregon.
Jesse Shawin was wanted on three separate arrest warrants, one being grand theft auto and when Police located him they found him sitting in a construction excavator.
As they arrived, they ordered him out but instead of complying he decided to add an additional charge of resisting arrest resulting in a Police pursuit.
Yet, the pursuit was by Police on foot, and Jesse fleeing on the excavator. It was reported that construction excavators highest rate of speed is a tortoise-like two to three miles per hour. Therefore, the police pursued on foot walking behind the fleeing rig until Jesse gave up a mile and one half later.
Knowing he could not escape the police cam video showed the arrest as an officer laughed and walked next to excavator in pursuit yelling: “Turn off the engine and climb down son. You’re surrounded. We can do this the easy or hard way. It’s your choice.”
Jesse finally gave up realizing that the pursuit was futile.
Explanation:
Running from God is like running from the cops on an excavator. You can’t possibly outpace God. Even if you could, where would you hide?
The Psalmist affirmed this saying: “You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me...Where can I flee from your presence” Psalm 139:7
Genesis 43 is all about a pursuit. God was pursuing the brothers of Joseph. He had moved deeply in the heart of Joseph and grace surfaced and shined through the heart and life. Nowhere is it seen more than in the way he received his brothers in Genesis 43 as they returned to Egypt.
In his response we get one of the clearest pictures of grace in the Old Testament, as well as, an understanding of what grace does in our lives.
Joseph’s grace without a doubt provides a complete picture of the grace that comes from God’s throne and is offered to us; and as the Prime Minister of Egypt; it is likewise seen as that grace is transferred from Joseph’s throne to his brothers.
Transition: Today, through Joseph’s throne I want us to answer one question: “What’s so amazing about grace?”
Transitional Sentence: What’s so amazing about grace? It is amazing because:
I. It Is Forgiveness and The Gift of Starting Over
vs. 1-3- Now the famine was severe in the land. So it came about when they had finished eating the grain which they had brought from Egypt that their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little food.”
Explanation:
As we join Joe and his brothers in chapter 43, we discover that a new chapter opens up in the life of Joseph and his relationship with his brothers.
In this chapter God has prepared Joseph’s heart to extend grace to his brothers and we find him in Egypt waiting for his brothers to arrive like the Prodigals Father awaiting the return of his boy coming home.
As they prepare to return we find that Judah resurfaces in the narrative. When we saw Judah last we find that he had left home. He had married a Canaanite, been widowed, and through deception had relations with his daughter-in-law (Tamar) resulting in the birth of twins. (Ephraim and Manasseh)
Yet, something happened between chapter 38 and 43. Judah had returned home and back into fellowship with his brothers and his patriarchal family. Obviously, when he returned home, grace had been extended.
Judah, in turn responded to the grace responded to their problem of being out of food. Verse 2 tells us that “when they had finished eating the grain which they had brought from Egypt” Judah stepped up to speak to his father about the requirement of Benjamin going to Egypt with them.
If you read the passage from verse 3-15 the speech of Judah and the preparation to go on their “grocery store” visit to Egypt.
What I love about Judah’s return is the reminder that Judah was the one who brought up the idea of selling Joseph into slavery in the first place. (Genesis 37:26) Yet, God was at work in Judah’s life. Grace had deeply impacted Judah’s life. He was stepping up and acting more like the Lion that his tribe would be called.
It seems appropriate that Judah would be the one who would initiate the journey to Joseph’s “throne of grace” because ultimately it would be one of his family members; Jesus Christ who would become the Lion of the Tribe of Judah – who would lead us to the ultimate throne of grace! (Amen?)
Sometimes it’s the person who has been forgiven the most who does the most to lead others to grace.
He knew what grace was. He lived it. He experienced it. He knew what grace is: “It is forgiveness and the gift of being able to start over.”
Let me ask you: Are you like Judah today? Do you need forgiveness? Do you feel like you need to start over? Judah was given grace and you can receive it too.
Illustration: Satan’s hopeless lies
Satan hates grace because he hates hope. He will lie to you and make every effort to make you think that he’s got the upper hand in this world and sin and evil wins.
The enemy recently sent that message to be in nature. For years I have been trying to attract blue birds into my backyard. I put up a bluebird house and tried to create an environment that would be appealing to bluebird nesting.
To my surprise, a few months ago, a bluebird came and nested in one of the birdhouses (not my bluebird house) near my deck beneath a little cross that had Jeremiah 29:11 on it that said: “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord...plans to give you a future and a hope.”
I was so excited about my bluebird and every night I would go out and check on my bluebird. I would shine a light on that little cross and into the hole of the birdhouse and my bluebird would poke her head up and take a look at me.
She sort of got used to my nightly ritual and didn’t seem to mind. I was so excited a couple of weekends ago when I heard the chirping of baby birds and started seeing my bluebird flying back and forth feeding her babies.
Yet, a few nights later I went out for my nightly ritual and shined my light on the cross and the hole where I would always see my bluebird and I was welcomed by an unwelcomed face. It was the face of a snake. (You can’t make this stuff up)
My heart sank and I felt sick at my stomach. I knew exactly what had happened and somehow the timing was impeccable. I showed up on a murder scene.
My response was quick and stealthy. I resulted to chemical warfare with some high potent carburetor cleaner I had in the garage. With anger raging, I saw on the can that it said, “Avoid inhalation and contact to skin. Harmful and possibly fatal if swallowed.”
I quickly returned and gave that snake a drink to wash down his meal along with a bedtime prayer that when he fell to sleep that night that he would not inherit the kingdom of God (if you know what I mean. ?)
Application:
As I went to bed that night, I was literally sick at my stomach as I thought about that cross above the birdhouse and the snake, that seemed to be more than a predator looking for a meal that night. There seemed to be some significance to that awful event I witnessed.
I thought, “Satan must hate the future and the hope God has planned for us. He loves death. He loves sin. He loves to invade our houses and homes and leave us lying in bed feeling hopeless.”
I wander how many nights Jacob might have laid in bed feeling hopeless about Judah coming home. I wander how many nights he lay in bed feeling that Satan had stolen God’s plans for his family and for the nation God might build through him.
Yet, while Jacob didn’t even know it, hope was rising. Judah (from whom the Messiah would be born) had returned home, and he was only a few chapters away from being reunited with his son who he thought was dead!
Listen: Hope was rising because grace was still alive. Don’t you accept the lies of hopelessness.
Listen: Grace is alive despite the momentary circumstances and current invasions of the enemy in your life. Hope is alive because grace is!
It was true with Judah, Joseph, and Jacob and it is true for me and you.
Transitional Sentence: What’s so amazing about grace? It is amazing because:
II. It is Favor and Assurance Of God’s Goodness
vs. 16- “When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to his house steward, “Bring the men into the house...”
Explanation:
One of the greatest illustrations of the grace of God being “fleshed out” (literally) in Joseph’s life was the way he responded to the arrival of his brothers and Benjamin to Egypt.
Notice verse 16. Notice what Joseph says: “When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to his house steward, “Bring the men into the house...”
Joseph reflected God’s grace as he treated them like family; he invited them into his house.
By the way, isn’t that what Jesus does for us? Despite how we have sinned against him, He offers grace and forgiveness and says to us: “In my Father’s house are many mansions, if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you and if I go, I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am, there you may be also. “ John 14:6
Verse 17 we read: “So the man did as Joseph said, and brought the men to Joseph’s house.”
Notice what grace looks like “in the house.”
a) There’s no fear in the house- In verse 18, we read: “Now the men were afraid because they
were brought to Joseph’s house...” The passage tells us that they were afraid because of the
“money” in Hebrew the word is “silver.”
In Genesis 37:28 we read that the boys had sold Joseph for 20 pieces of silver. Compare this
to Jesus who was sold by Judas for 30 pieces of silver.
Yet, their concern was that they were being brought to “the house” because of the silver they
found in their grain sacks they found on the last return to Canaan. Yet, notice verse 23 tells
us that the house steward comforted them and said: “Be at ease, do not be afraid..”
Do you know what grace does? It drives away fear. In Jesus’ house there is no fear. Do you
Know why? “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” I John 4:18 (ESV)
That’s how grace works.
b) There’s treasure in the house- In verse 23 we read: “Your God and the God of your father
has given you treasure in your sacks.” Notice who gets the glory for what is happening in
Joseph’s house. God gets the glory.
Without God, this house experience would not be possible. Yet, they are told that the silver
they found in their sacks was from God. The grace in Joseph’s heart that filled their sacks
with treasure was a reflection of what’s going on in God’s house.
Illustration: Gold in heaven
I love the story about the rich man who was distressed on hearing he could take none of his riches to heaven. He pleaded with God to make an exception. Finally, God said, "Okay, whatever you can fit into a garbage bag can be brought in."
The man immediately thought of gold. He joyfully went and spent his time accumulating gold. Then, it came time for him to die. He went to the pearly gates, black garbage bag filled with gold in tow. When the angels questioned him about the bag the man declared that God allowed it.
When it was confirmed, they asked him if they could see what was so special inside this bag. The man proudly opened the bag to show them its contents. The angels looked at each other in bewilderment. Then one of them asked the man, "Why did you bring pavement?"
Gold is a hot commodity here on earth, but in heaven it's only pavement. Listen: God’s house is a treasure house where gold is used for pavement and single pearls are construction material for gates.
That’s how grace works.
c) There’s freedom in the house- vs. 23- “Then they brought Simeon out.” Notice that when
they first entered the house they all expected to be bound and made into slaves. It is almost humorous to hear what they said: “ we are being brought in, that he may seek occasion against us and fall upon us, and take us for slaves with our donkeys.” Vs. 18
Did you hear what they said? They expected to be tackled in the house (fall on us) and they even expected their donkey’s to become slaves.
Yet, in verse 23, Simeon was brought out. He was set free. Do you know why? That’s what grace does. It sets people free.
d) Tears are wiped away in the house- In verse 30 we read that when Joseph saw Benjamin he had to rush out and find a place to weep. Think about it: This is the first time Joseph had seen Benjamin in decades. Benjamin would have been a small boy when Joseph saw him last. Now, he saw him and had to weep.
In verse 31 we read: “Then he washed his face and came out, and he controlled himself and said, “Serve the meal.”
The Bible tells us that in God’s house “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes...” That’s what grace does. It not a tear jerker; it’s a tear stopper. That’s what grace does. It wipes away tears.
e) A table is set in the house- Don’t you know that by now the brothers are thinking: “This is
the weirdest dinner party of all time.” Yet. Joseph says, “Serve the meal.” As the meal is
being served The seating arrangements provide a clue of what is going on. Yet, the boys aren’t
catching on. That’s what grace does, it surprises and stuns people when they experience it.
In verse 33, it is obvious that the host of the dinner party knows each one of the brothers and seats them according to his knowledge of them. He knows their birthdays. He knows the oldest to the youngest.
These boys are not being treated as enemies, they are being seated as a family. This reminds me of the Psalmist who said: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” Psalm 23:5
These people who rightfully should have been declared enemies of Joseph are in his house, eating at his table.
Do you know why? That’s what grace does.
f) There’s no separation in the house- In verse 32 we read about separate eating tables. In
Egypt was one of the most racially separated people in that time. The Egyptians felt that they
were descendants from the Gods. They did not eat with Hebrews. Yet, Joseph, even though
he was Prime Minister of Egypt was not allowed to eat with the Egyptians or the brothers
because of his position.
One thing about God’s house is that there is no separation. Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. Revelation 21:1
Do you know what seas do? They separate people. They separate nations, kingdoms, and people.
In heaven there will be one kingdom; the kingdom of God. In Jesus’ house there will be no separation because that’s what grace does.
g) There’s joy in the house- In verse 34 we read that Joseph had five times as much food and
portions given to Benjamin. Do you know the word for this? The word is “quintuple.” Joseph
is doing this to test the brothers. Will they be jealous of Benjamin the way they were with
him?
They were not because the last verse says: “So they fasted and drank freely with him.” Vs 34
Do you know what happens in God’s house? There’s no jealousy, judgment, envy or backstabbing in the house; there’s just joy in the house!
When Jesus talked about heaven he said something we all want to hear. He said: ““His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Matthew 25:23
Do you know why there’s so much joy in the house; it’s because, that’s what grace does.
Conclusion: Room in heaven for you
Grace is amazing isn’t it? Grace is forgiveness and favor that is meant to be passed on to others.
Joseph passed grace on to his brothers, and Jesus passed on grace to us. In turn, we are called to pass it on to those around us. We are called to spread the love, pay it forward, pass on the grace that Jesus has given to us that is so easily illustrated in the love of Joseph toward his brothers.
Is there room in your heart for an enemy that you can make into a brother? Is there room in your home for someone who has hurt you? Is there room for grace in your life?
Here’s the good news. God has made room for you.
In the book of Revelation we are told about heavens city. It’s measurements are meaningful. Revelation 21:15 says “Now the city is laid out as a square, its length and width the same. He[d] measured the city with the measuring rod at 1,400 miles (its length and width and height are equal). 17 He also measured its wall, 144 cubits according to human measurement, which is also the angel’s. (NET)
One man who studied the city called the “New Jerusalem” better known as “the house of the Lord” examined the measurements I just read to you. As an Engineer from Australia he wrote:
“According to scripture the city is lone enough to stretch from Maine to Florida in all directions and is 1500 miles high. Therefore, the city of mansions is tall enough to contain 528,000 stories or floors meaning that every floor would contain 2 million miles plus. Therefore, the Holy City could contain 1 billion 188 thousand square miles. According to statistics this would mean that if every person who lived since the beginning of time accepted Jesus and went to heaven that currently we all have at least 39 miles to live in ourselves.” Salem Kirban
Here’s the point: There’s room in house for you. Do you know why? That’s what grace does.
How do you get into the house? “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
