My Father’s Eyes (Gen 45:23-28)
[Slide: Title Slide]
Prayer:
[Slide: Gen 45:23-28]
23. Joseph also sent his father ten donkeys loaded with the best things from Egypt and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and other food for his father on his trip back.
24. Then Joseph told his brothers to go. As they were leaving, he said to them, “Don’t quarrel on the way home.”
25. So the brothers left Egypt and went to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan.
26. They told him, “Joseph is still alive and is the ruler over all the land of Egypt.” Their father was shocked and did not believe them.
27. But when the brothers told him everything Joseph had said, and when Jacob saw the wagons Joseph had sent to carry him back to Egypt, he felt better.
28. Israel said, “Now I believe you. My son Joseph is still alive, and I will go and see him before I die.”
[Slide: Edward Walter Fryer]
Illustration: Edward & Eric
Edward Walter Fryer was a Canadian soldier and musician, stationed in England during World War II, there, he met Patricia. From this relationship a son was born, Eric on March 30, 1945, in Ripley, Surrey, England. But as life would have it just like many families coming out of war, the early years of Eric portrayed a family where his father Edward was not present since Edward returned to Canada even before Eric was born.
As a result for much of his early life, Eric grew up believing his grandparents were his parents and that his mother was his older sister. The truth about his parentage was kept from him until he was nine years old, a revelation that left a profound impact on him. Even after learning the truth, Eric had little information about his father.
[Slide: Eric and Mom Patricia]
It wasn’t until much later in life that Eric would begin to learn more about his father Edward Fryer. Fryer was a talented pianist and saxophonist, a trait that Eric inherited and developed in his own right as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. Despite his father’s musical background, still, the two never met in person. Fryer had moved on with his life in Canada, where he married and had other children, while Eric pursued his music career in England.
Tragically, Edward Fryer passed away in 1985 from leukemia, just as Eric was beginning to piece together more information about him. Eric was devastated by the news, not just because he lost the chance to meet his father, but also because he had missed out on the opportunity to connect with a man who, unbeknownst to him, had shared his love of music.
The loss of his father without ever meeting him added another layer to Eric’s lifelong struggle with personal demons, which included battles with addiction and a deep sense of abandonment. In his autobiography, Eric writes about the complex emotions surrounding his father’s death, reflecting on the missed opportunities and the unspoken bond they might have shared through music.
Eric’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the key role a bond between a child and their father makes, even if sometimes the painful reality of lives that run parallel and yet never intersect.
Take that story between Eric and his dad Edward as we now linger for a moment in today’s passages found in
[Slide: Coat with many colors]
(Gen 45:23-28)
Point:
Here’s the context that led to this portion of the chapter:
The narrative of Genesis 45 reaches a pivotal moment in the story of Joseph and his brothers. Joseph, who has at this point gone through so many ups and downs and has now risen to a high position of power in Egypt. Impressions many have of Joseph’s roller coaster life though are the lows, where he was tasked to travel alone in the desert to find his brothers so he can bring them food;
[Slide: desert map]
Mind you, there was no GPS during that time, and no hybrid transportation or electric bikes. It’s like, his dad saying, go into the desert and find your brother's mission. And by the way, good luck finding them.
Then when he found his brothers they hurt him, they threw him in a pit, tore his clothes, soaked it in animal blood, declared him dead to his own family, and then sold him into slavery, by his own brothers.
[Slide: torn]
Maybe someone here today is in a moment of their life where their coat of safety has been ripped off of them. Where they have taken advantage of you. They take your food, your money, your hospitality, your kindness, your generosity, and then tear you apart.
[Slide: dark pit]
Maybe someone here today has been thrown in a deep pit at work. Where the person's ego at work, their mistakes, their carelessness and lack of accountability has been dumped on to you and the blame is on you, leaving you in a deep pit, dark and alone.
[Slide: abandoned]
Maybe someone here today, has been declared dead to the family, perhaps because of a choice you made that is not popular with the rest, or because you stood ground for what is the right thing to do, now the rest of those who claim to be your family, has abandoned you and declared you as dead to them.
[Slide: betrayal]
Or perhaps, someone here today is in a moment of their life, where the very people you trusted, you called your friend, the one you had confided your deepest struggles and challenges, have sold you out but publicly advertising to the rest of the world or on group chats or on social media you deepest struggles.
And where this friend was supposed to be the one to walk alongside you in your deepest and hardest time of life, this person was now the very one who sold you out, and severed years of memories, friendship and trust.
If any of these scenarios somehow captures your experience, then you see, the story of Joseph is a reminder for you today, that You are not alone.
[Slide: Your setback]
That your current set back is God’s setup for your step up of greater success. That your loss today, is merely a push to your next best thing. God is not done with you. Your story is His story. He cares, He knows, He is paving a way forward. Your setback is God’s setup to your step up. Joseph is proof that human torn clothes, dark pits, and abandoned relationships are God’s workshops for His grace to shine, for His love to marvel, for His miracles to reveal.
[Slide: unfortunate events]
So, you have all that stack of bad happening to Joseph initiated by his own brothers, and now, these same brothers beg him for food and for mercy so that they may live. A desperate ask to be saved from famine. The dudes who abused power by hurting the powerless, now begs a stay of abusive power from the 2nd to the most powerful in the land of Egypt. When God makes your story His story, the very ones that hurt, break, attempt to destroy you, will be the very ones who will beg mercy, grace, blessing from you.
[Slide: The love of God]
These are the amazing things about the love of God. This is the miracle that comes to God’s people when they align their lives with the path God has already set for them. The first will be last, the last will be first, the great will be small, the small will be great. Vengeance is not our, but is God’s. And goodness friends, it is a sweet moment to be part of.
[Slide: success]
Perhaps someone today is also about to come out of their torn robe experience. Someone here is about to be taken out of their dark pit, someone is about to be free from a struggle, a problem, a difficulty. Someone here is about to receive the abundance that resulted from being sold out and abandoned and broken. When you arrive at that point. Remember this. No blame, Praise Him.
[Slide: No blame! Praise Him!]
Look to the person on your left, say: don’t you dare blame. Praise Him!
Joseph forgives his brothers and invites them, along with their families, to live in Egypt where they will be provided for. This chapter marks the reconciliation of Joseph with his family and sets the stage for the Israelites' eventual settlement in Egypt.
[Slide: Gen 45:23-28]
Key Passage:
23. Joseph also sent his father ten donkeys loaded with the best things from Egypt and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and other food for his father on his trip back.
24. Then Joseph told his brothers to go. As they were leaving, he said to them, “Don’t quarrel on the way home.”
25. So the brothers left Egypt and went to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan.
26. They told him, “Joseph is still alive and is the ruler over all the land of Egypt.” Their father was shocked and did not believe them.
27. But when the brothers told him everything Joseph had said, and when Jacob saw the wagons Joseph had sent to carry him back to Egypt, he felt better.
28. Israel said, “Now I believe you. My son Joseph is still alive, and I will go and see him before I die.”
[Slide: Eric and Conor]
Back to the story of Eric. As if the devastation of Eric not seeing his dad Edward, and his dad dying from Leukemia was not traumatic enough for a young Eric, he actually suffers another low in life when he now was a dad himself to a little boy named Conor.
The story of Eric’s son Conor is one that breaks once heart let alone a parent’s heart. Check it out. Conor was born on August 21, 1986, to Eric and an Italian actress Lory Del Santo. Although Eric had a complicated personal life, his relationship with Conor was of profound love and intentional connection. Perhaps because Eric wanted to make up for the lost relationship with his dad.
[Slide: Conor in the news]
So on March 20, 1991, an unimaginable tragedy occurred. Conor, just five years old who accidentally fell to his death from the 49th floor of a New York City apartment building. The apartment, owned by Conor’s mom Lory, was located in a high-rise on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The tragic accident happened when a housekeeper opened a window to clean it, not realizing Conor was nearby. The window, which was meant to remain closed, was opened, and Conor, who was playing nearby, ran past and fell out.
Yet another devastating loss for Eric. He had taken a break from his career to spend more time with Conor, and the two had planned to spend the day together at the Central Park Zoo. Instead, Eric received the heartbreaking news that would change his life forever.
Clapton’s grief over Conor’s death was profound and deeply personal. It led to a period of intense mourning.
The story of Eric and Conor is a heart-wrenching reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring pain of loss. However, it is also a testament to the power of music as a means of coping with unimaginable grief and finding solace in the midst of tragedy.
Emphasis:
[Slide: when tragedy strikes]
Pause. There are some of you hearing this message today, who just like Eric and Edward you may not have had a great relationship with your dad or with your son. Maybe your life story has been written with a deep devastation of pain, brokenness, loneliness and hurt. Whatever your story may have been, I want to assure you today, that perhaps you are here today, or watching this message today, because this very moment is for you.
A moment, that is a reminder to you that you are not alone in this journey. That you're hurt and in pain, someone understands and has gone through as well. That your brokenness is not the end of it all. That Eric, Edward and Conor are a reminder that even in darkness, there is a glimmer of light.
Perhaps you're still spiraling and derailing in your relationship with your father or with your son right now, here’s the biggest assurance I can remind you of with guarantee. God knows your pain. God sees your hurt, God understands your brokenness.
[Slide: my father’s eyes]
The missed father and son relationship with Edward and Eric actually became the inspiration for the song My Father’s Eyes - which continues to inspire and encourage those who suffer from a father and child missed opportunity.
[Slide: tears in heaven]
The tragic death of Conor as another heartbreaking blow to Eric actually became the inspiration for the song Tears in Heaven. A song that hopefully gives comfort to those grieving a loss of premature ending of a father and child relationship.
[Slide: Joseph cries]
It’s no surprise then with how we see Joseph in Genesis chapter 45 described as “Then Joseph could not control himself” you can almost imagine how emotionally charged he felt with all the things that had happened from when he left his dad to bring his brother’s food - to how he is now about to send his brother's food and things for his dad.
[Slide: Growing together]
Our growing together theme today and this week dives into a profound moment in the life of Jacob and Joseph found in Genesis 45:23-28. This passage captures the moment when Jacob, after years of mourning the loss of his beloved son Joseph, receives the incredible news that Joseph is alive and well in Egypt. This revelation is not just a family reunion; it’s a moment of divine revelation and fulfillment of God’s promises. It allows us a peek at understanding the depth of God’s providence, the power of faith, and the call to trust in God's promises.
Transition:
[Slide: God, when it hurts]
The human story of Jacob and Joseph in scripture, as well as Eric and Edward and Conor in modern life, urges us into the revival of hope in God when it hurts the most, when it is the darkest, and when it is the most hopeless season of our life.
Despite Jacob's initial disbelief, the narrative tells us that "when they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived" (Genesis 45:27).
[Slide: Hebrew - vatechi]
Here, the Hebrew term for "revived" (?????????, *vatechi*) is from the root ????? (*chayah*), meaning "to live" or "to come to life."
Jacob’s spirit was rejuvenated; the hope that had been lost with Joseph's presumed death was rekindled. This revival of hope is a powerful reminder that God's promises often come to fruition in ways that surpass our understanding. Even in our darkest moments, when hope seems lost, God is at work, bringing life to dead dreams and fulfillment to forgotten promises.
Illustration:
[Slide: Marco baptism]
Those who followed my journey on social media this past summer know how deeply moving it was when my father and I had the privilege of baptizing our son, Marco this past summer. That moment was a surge of emotion, a testament to the unbreakable bonds that bind generations.
It was this very moment where I was reminding dad, looking him in the eye, coaching him to now declare that Marco was being baptized in the name of the father, son and holy spirit. When in that moment, dad proceeded to pray over Marco and mentioned him by name.
My father’s eyes had closed at this moment, and this overwhelming thought just overcame me, realizing that the next time I will get to have a deep and meaningful conversation with my now 80 year old father who’s memory has entered it’s sunset season, that next dad and son real talk will now be in heaven.
[Slide: after baptism]
And in the minutes and hours after Marco was baptized, I was overcomed by deep emotion which could only be expressed by uncontrollable sobbing. I had pulled away from everyone for the rest of the afternoon. It was just too overwhelming.
Conclusion:
[Slide: camotes baptism]
And as I reflect on today;s passage, I could not help but look back into that heavy moment for me in Camotes Island, this past summer. Jacob’s journey from disbelief to revived hope that he gets to be with his son Joseph one more time and affirmation of faith that God is always on the lookout for what’s best for us is a journey we are all called to make. There will be times in our lives when God’s plans unfold in ways that shock and overwhelm us, let us allow our spirits to be revived by the evidence of His goodness.
[Slide: do not quarrel]
Let us also take heed of Joseph's instruction to his brothers: "Do not quarrel on the way" (Genesis 45:24). As we journey in faith, let us do so in unity, with hearts full of trust and anticipation for what God is doing in our lives.
[Slide: EGW Quote]
Quote:
I leave you with this Ellen White quote from the book Patriarchs and Prophets Page 232.
“The father and his sons, with their families, their flocks and herds, and numerous attendants, were soon on the way to Egypt. With gladness of heart they pursued their journey, and when they came to Beersheba the patriarch offered grateful sacrifices and entreated the Lord to grant them an assurance that He would go with them. In a vision of the night the divine word came to him: “Fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will make thee a great nation. I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again.”
[Slide: Title Slide]
May we, like Jacob, find the strength to say, "It is enough," and walk confidently in the path that God has set before us. May we get to the place where we will say, I trust my father’s eyes, His promises are sure, His plans are perfect, my father always has what’s best for me. Because He. Is. The. Ultimate. Way. Maker. This is my prayer for us today. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
+_+_+_+_
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the powerful lessons in Your Word. Help us to trust in Your providence, even when we are overwhelmed by Your goodness. Revive our spirits with hope and faith as we walk in the fulfillment of Your promises. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
