Called to Return
A. The Promise
B. The Preparation and Panic
C. The Presentation and Placement
DBF, Genesis 43, 4/28/02
I know there are times of year that we all leave Dillingham and Bristol Bay to go to different places outside.
When I go, I really do enjoy leaving for a while to re-energize and to visit with friends and family.
Our family, other than our God given family, is from Louisiana and the Philippines.
What always amazes me is the closeness I share with my Christian family. My Christian brothers and sisters never seem to tire of us and wish to be removed from our presence. We sit for hours and talk about things in each other’s lives that really matter to us and to the work of God around us.
As much as we enjoy visiting our families and friends, we truly enjoy and cannot wait to come back home to Dillingham.
Much in the same way we will see that Joseph’s family has come to the point that they need to return to a place that God has prepared for them. They of course or not very happy to have to do so because it meant that they would be required to bring their youngest brother. They knew how difficult it would be if they lost their youngest brother—it would surely be the end of their father Jacob-Israel.
Let us walk with the family of Jacob today to look at what God would have us learn for our lives today.
A. The Promise
Genesis 43:1-7 (KJV)
And the famine was sore in the land. [2] And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food. [3] And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you. [4] If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food: [5] But if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down: for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you. [6] And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother? [7] And they said, The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying, Is your father yet alive? have ye another brother? and we told him according to the tenor of these words: could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your brother down? (8)And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones. [9] I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever: [10] For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second time. [11] And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds: [12] And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight: [13] Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man: [14] And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.
Have you ever hungered for something?
What have you hungered for is it the things of the world or as God calls us too—Is it the things of God that you hunger for?
Because of the severe famine, Jacob urges his sons to go and buy a little food.
I wonder what would have happened to Simeon if the famine had ended. There wasn’t much push on the side of the family on the part of Simeon being in captivity.
Does the captivity of the people in the world around you cause you more concern than we see exhibited here by the family of Simeon?
God does truly desire the best for HIS chosen people, He directs you and I to continue to put forth HIS word so that people may come and this must become our great journey.
Judah urges that Benjamin should go with them. It is not against the honor and duty of a children to humbly to advise their parents, and when needful, to reason with them. The major thing being humbly—that is at whatever your age.
Jacob saw the necessity of the case, and yielded. Jacob as usual shows wise stewardship in his prudence and justice.
1. He sent back the money they had found in the sack. Honesty and Christian ethics requires us to restore not only that which comes to us by our own fault, but that which comes to us by the mistakes of others. We cannot justify the oversight of others through our own misdeeds.
2. He sent as much again as they took the time before; the price of corn might be risen, or they might have to pay a ransom for Simeon.
3. He sent a present of such things as the land afforded, and as were scarce in Egypt, balm, and honey. Providence does not shine upon all alike. Honey and spice will never make up the want of bread and corn. The famine was sore in Canaan, yet they had balm and myrrh.
We may live well enough upon plain food, without dainties; but we cannot live upon dainties without plain food. Let us thank God that what is most needful and useful, generally is most inexpensive and available.
Though we men value very highly ourr gold and silver, and the luxuries which are counted the best fruits of every land, yet in a time of famine they willingly barter them for bread.
Likewise, how little will earthly good things stand us in stead in the day of God’s wrath!
Are you today ready to renounce them all, as loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ!
We should all know that the way to prevail with man is by first prevailing with the Lord in fervent prayer. But, Thy will be done, should close every petition for the mercies of this life, or against the afflictions of this life.
We discussed Friday night the promise of Christ that the sickness of Lazarus was not unto death—but to show the power of Christ to the glory of God. We are recipients of this same promise today. Do you understand that if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior then you will never taste the sting of death—we truly have nothing to fear—Praise and Glory be to God.
B. The Preparation and Panic
Genesis 43:15-27 (KJV)
And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph. [16] And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon. [17] And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph’s house. [18] And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph’s house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses. [19] And they came near to the steward of Joseph’s house, and they communed with him at the door of the house, [20] And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food: [21] And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand. [22] And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks. [23] And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them. [24] And the man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender. [25] And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there.
Jacob’s sons went down the second time into Egypt to buy corn.
It could be a blessing if one would come to know what a famine of the word means?
What if someone desired to seek the word of God so much that they would go to any length to acquire it?
We should think it so very little to travel very far for spiritual food, as they did for bodily food.
Joseph’s steward had orders from his master to take them to his house.
Do you invite brothers and sisters into your house? If you do not--Why not?
In all things we should show the love of Christ.
This invitation frightened them--Those that are guilty make the worst of every thing.
Isn’t it the same with the people we minister to daily? God calls us to continue to minister His word in His name.
Joseph’s steward encouraged the brothers. It appears, from what he said, that by his good master he was brought to the knowledge of the true God, the God of the Hebrews.
We who have asked Jesus Christ into our hearts are called to be servants of Christ. As Christ’s servants we should take each and every occasion He allows us to speak of God and his providence, with reverence and seriousness to all who will hear.
If you ever feel you are in a panic remember—You “I” can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens you. Philippians 4:13
C. The presentation and placement
Genesis 43:26-34 (KJV)
And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth. [27] And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive? [28] And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance. (29) And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son. [30] And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there. [31] And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread. [32] And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians. (33) And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one at another. [34] And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin’s mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.
Observe the great respect Joseph’s brethren paid to him.
Do you bring this type of respect to your service to Jesus Christ?
Are you willing to go and serve and complete whatever, where ever, and when ever Jesus calls you?
What present will you bring to Christ?
Thus were Joseph’s dreams more and more fulfilled, if you do so your dreams may be more and more fulfilled.
Joseph showed great kindness to them to his brothers.
Of course, we who have been forgiven much, much will be required of us. This is a great kindness of God, do you accept it as such.
Joseph treats his brothers nobly. We can see here the early distance between Jews and gentiles. But in Christ we being once many become one and eat all together in the name of Christ.
In a day of famine, it is enough to be fed, but they enjoyed a feast. Their cares and fears were now over, and they ate their bread with joy, reckoning they were upon good terms with the lord of the land.
Are you eating the good bread of faithful service to Christ? You know in Christ we are blessed in any situation He calls us too. If God accept our works, our presents, we have every good reason to be cheerful.
Joseph places Benjamin in a place of honor, showing special regard for Benjamin, that he might try whether his brethren would envy him. It must be our rule, to be content with what we have, and not to grieve at what others have.
Thus Jesus shows those whom he loves, more and more of their need. He makes them see that he is their only refuge from destruction. He overcomes their unwillingness, and brings them to Himself. Then, as Jesus sees good, He gives them some taste of His love, and welcomes them to the provisions of His house, as an earnest of what He further intends for them.
These are blessings indeed and are available to each of us who have called upon the name of the Lord. Of course we must ask ourselves, Have I truly given myself fully to Jesus Christ and asked him to come into my heart? This is the only way that God is able to start to work and lead in our lives. God wants the very best for us who call upon His name. In God even when we are hungry—there is no famine. In God even when we are thirsty—there is no drought. God the great—I AM is sufficient in all things to accomplish His good and perfect will.
Are you prepared to call upon the name of the Lord today? Are you tired of the hopelessness that you wake up to each day, the loneliness, the emptiness…God is waiting to start to fill that void in your life. The gaping hole that we each have within our heart is a hole that can only be filled by the way, the truth, and the life of Jesus Christ. If you would like to make this decision today, I ask you to come forward. If you would just like to come forward and get right with God, let Him know that you understand now what it is He would have you to do we ask you to come.
As with Jacob’s family, we are all called to walk the walk that God lays before us. Many of us shun any responsibility or action because we claim that we are not worthy. This is simply not true, because it is Christ that brings any good things about that we are part of. In any striving for Christ remember--I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me. God’s words—Stand strong in them and in HIM.
If anyone has and prayer needs are prayer concerns, we ask that you give them at this time. We would love to pray with and for you and your loved ones. We serve a great and glorious God who cared enough about His creation to send His only begotten son to die for us. Bring you requests to Him, for He alone is able to bring them to pass.
Closing Prayer.
