Thursday, July 27, 2023

God's Providence Session 34 - Integrity



The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group is studying God's providence or divine providence in the lives of David and Joseph and how we can apply His providence in their lives to our lives today.

The providence of God is the governance of God by which He, with wisdom and love, cares for and directs all things in the universe. Divine providence asserts that God is in complete control of all things. He is sovereign over the universe. He is in control of the physical world. He is in control of the affairs of nations. He is in control of human destiny. He is in control of human successes and failures. He protects His people.


Last week we saw the reunion of Joseph with his father after more than 20 years. That reunion brought to mind the reunion that the family of God will have on Jesus' second advent and just as there is a big dinner or picnic at a family reunion, when we have that final ultimate reunion of the family of God, we will all sit down together at the wedding supper of the Lamb.


This week we will talk about Joseph's integrity. Joseph never used his position as prime minister to his advantage. He respected the authority of Pharoah in all of the dealings with the people of Egypt and his family. As a man, a leader of integrity he was now responsible for the futures or two nations, Egypt, and Israel.


For our study we are using Great Lives: David: A Man of Passion and Destiny, and Joseph: A Man of Integrity and Forgiveness by Charles R. Swindoll. To study along with us you can purchase the books by clicking the Links here or the images after the notes.



The providence of God or divine providence is the governance of God by which He, with wisdom and love, cares for and directs all things in the universe. Divine providence asserts that God is in complete control of all things. He is sovereign over the universe as a whole, He is in control of the physical world, He is in control of the affairs of nations, He’s in control of human destiny, He’s in control of human successes and failures, He protects His people.  Through divine providence God accomplishes His will.


The providence of God or divine providence is the governance of God by which He, with

wisdom and love, cares for and directs all things in the universe. Divine providence asserts that God is in complete control of all things. He is sovereign over the universe as a whole, He is in

control of the physical world, He is in control of the affairs of nations, He’s in control of human

destiny, He’s in control of human successes and failures, He protects His people. 

Through divine providence God accomplishes His will.

Last week we talked about the long-anticipated reunion between Joseph and his father,.

Genesis 46:28‭-‬30 NIV Now Jacob sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to get directions to Goshen. When they arrived in the region of Goshen, Joseph had his chariot made ready and went to Goshen to meet his father Israel. As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time. Israel said to Joseph, “Now I am ready to die, since I have seen for myself that you are still alive.”

Joseph couldn't wait once he knew that his father had arrived, he went to meet him.  It doesn’t say that Jacob cried but my guess is that they both did and probably a lot of others.  

What a great time.

Our author Chuck Swindall said that this reunion reminded him of some other reunions and the reaction of weeping because of joy.  The first was a national reunion, of sorts.  It was the nation of Isreal being released from exile in Babylon to go back to their homeland, to Judah after 70 years.   

Ezra 1:1‭-‬4 NIV In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing: “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: “ ‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them. And in any locality where survivors may now be living, the people are to provide them with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.’ ”

Jerusalem had been destroyed. Hardly a stone was left standing.

So the people began to rebuild the wall as well as the place of worship, and they gathered in

the city square to hear the Word of God read for the first time in decades.            

               

They had been in captivity for seventy years. What nationalistic zeal and pride must have

surged through those Jewish veins as they stood once more in their homeland and heard Ezra

begin to read aloud the Word of their God.

Nehemiah 8:9‭-‬12 NIV Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.” Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.

When they heard the Word of God in their own ears for the first time after all those years—some of them for the first time ever—they lifted up their hands in praise and they wept aloud.

Another reunion was the one Jesus described in His parable of the Prodigal Son.  This one was a personal reunion. 

Then there will be the reunion of the family of God.  The final, ultimate family reunion.  All of our loved ones who have accepted Jesus as their Savior will be at that reunion.  

1 Thessalonians 4:13‭-‬18 NIV Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Most reunions have a big meal.  It may be  a banquet or a picnic or both.  There will be a lot of food and fellowship.  

Revelation 19:6‭-‬9 NIV Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”


Today we are going to talk about integrity.  What’s the definition of integrity?


Dictionary definition 

.

the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.


A person with integrity behaves ethically and does the right thing, even behind closed doors.


Integrity is what you are when there isn’t anyone around to check up on you; it’s best demonstrated when nobody’s watching.    

What are the 5 attributes of integrity?

follow a set of values, be honest, help others, lead by example, and take responsibility.


What is the difference between honesty and integrity?

Integrity implies consistent behavior, whether honest or not. Honesty implies being truthful (even if it is incorrect) about a subject at hand. Honesty, by definition, is to tell the truth and being true. Integrity is having strong moral principles based on honesty and following those principles religiously.


Integrity is a character trait a good character trait.  One that is active all the time meaning at home, at church, on the job, wherever.  A person on integrity is the some all the time one of the other dictionary definitions of integrity is 


the state of being whole and undivided.


We look at Joseph’s character and his integrity by how he handled his job as prime minister.  Remember he is second only to Pharoh in Egypt at a critical time in the nation’s history.  There was now a very severe famine after years of great prosperity.  


Joseph because the Lord was with was placed in a position where he was not only responsible for making sure the Egypt continued to prosper but because it was God’s plan that he saves his family he now had the futures of two nations, so to speak, as his responsibility.  


Genesis 45:4‭-‬5 NIV Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.


Genesis 45:7‭-‬13 NIV But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, Lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me Lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.’ “You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.”


How was Joseph going to handle all of this responsibility? What did he do to accomplish all his tasks without compromising his integrity? Were there some secrets we can uncoveras we examine his workload?


First, Joseph planned ahead with wise objectivity.


Although Joseph was the prime minister, he still understood that he was under authority, the authority of Pharoah.  He knew what he wanted to do regarding his family. Joseph never assumed that he could just go ahead with his plans, despite his prominent level of authority and responsibility. He always considered Pharoh and deferred to him for his approval.  He knew where he wanted them to settle down, but he didn’t presume that he could make it happen just because he was the prime minister so he planned on getting how to get Pharoah to agree with him. 


So here was Joseph’s plan.


Genesis 46:31‭-‬34 NIV Then Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and speak to Pharaoh and will say to him, ‘My brothers and my father’s household, who were living in the land of Canaan, have come to me. The men are shepherds; they tend livestock, and they have brought along their flocks and herds and everything they own.’ When Pharaoh calls you in and asks, ‘What is your occupation?’ you should answer, ‘Your servants have tended livestock from our boyhood on, just as our fathers did.’ Then you will be allowed to settle in the region of Goshen, for all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.”


He told his brothers to tell Pharaoh they tended livestock because the Egyptians detested shepherds that way they would be left alone and not have to live with the Egytians.  


He got Pharoh to let his family settle in the best part of Egypt for their livelihood as shepherds. 


Genesis 47:5‭-‬6 NIV Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Your father and your brothers have come to you, and the land of Egypt is before you; settle your father and your brothers in the best part of the land. Let them live in Goshen. And if you know of any among them with special ability, put them in charge of my own livestock.”


Let’s go back to see how Joseph began to lay ther groundwork for this.


Genesis 45:16‭-‬18 NIV When the news reached Pharaoh’s palace that Joseph’s brothers had come, Pharaoh and all his officials were pleased. Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.’


We should never presume because of our social status, education, wealth, good looks, whatever.  A person of integrity doesn’t disrespect authority.  They respect it and do what is necessary honestly to convenience a person in authority to accept their idea. If they don’t accept it then you respect their decision because  they probably know more than you do.  That is the same with prayer.  Joseph wasn’t trying to deceive or trick Pharah he had just done his homework. That’s why we should study so that we know God’s will from His word.  


Joseph submitted to authority with loyal accountability.


We are accountable to the one in authority over us no matter what those accountable to us do or say.


Genesis 47:1‭-‬12 NIV Joseph went and told Pharaoh, “My father and brothers, with their flocks and herds and everything they own, have come from the land of Canaan and are now in Goshen.” He chose five of his brothers and presented them before Pharaoh. Pharaoh asked the brothers, “What is your occupation?” “Your servants are shepherds,” they replied to Pharaoh, “just as our fathers were.” They also said to him, “We have come to live here for a while, because the famine is severe in Canaan and your servants’ flocks have no pasture. So now, please let your servants settle in Goshen.” Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Your father and your brothers have come to you, and the land of Egypt is before you; settle your father and your brothers in the best part of the land. Let them live in Goshen. And if you know of any among them with special ability, put them in charge of my own livestock.” Then Joseph brought his father Jacob in and presented him before Pharaoh. After Jacob blessed Pharaoh, Pharaoh asked him, “How old are you?” And Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. My years have been few and difficult, and they do not equal the years of the pilgrimage of my fathers.” Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from his presence. So Joseph settled his father and his brothers in Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the district of Rameses, as Pharaoh directed. Joseph also provided his father and his brothers and all his father’s household with food, according to the number of their children.


Joseph told his brothers to tell Pharaoh that they “tended livestock”.  He didn’t want them to use the “s” word (shepherd) because Egyptians detested shepherds. 


Joseph doesn’t intervene, however; he stands back, folds his arms, and lets them say what they wish. Joseph was a strong, efficient, capable leader, but he was also flexible enough to give his followers responsibility and choices.  A person of integrity allows others to make their own choices. In this case it wasn’t a problem but to be a leader you must delegate and give others a chance.  


He arranged for survival with personal integrity. A person of integrity doesn’t take advantage of the situation, or person for personal gain.


Genesis 47:13‭-‬15 NIV There was no food, however, in the whole region because the famine was severe; both Egypt and Canaan wasted away because of the famine. Joseph collected all the money that was to be found in Egypt and Canaan in payment for the grain they were buying, and he brought it to Pharaoh’s palace. When the money of the people of Egypt and Canaan was gone, all Egypt came to Joseph and said, “Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes? Our money is all gone.”


Joseph was given enormous power. He held their lives, their future, in the palm of his hand.  What a perfect opportunity for a leader to rip off the public! To stash away some of the money. To give food only to his family or a few of his favorites. With the complete trust that Pharaoh put in him, Joseph wasn’t about to be second-guessed.

               

After all, Joseph had to live with Joseph. Even more importantly, Joseph had to face his God. So the distribution was done decently and in order. All the money went into the proper account. There was no payola, no kickback. Joseph operated with absolute integrity.


This wasn't the first time that Joseph refused to take advantage of the trust of his boss.


Genesis 39:6‭-‬10 NIV So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.


Bible Study Audio





Wednesday, July 19, 2023

God’s Providence Session 33 - The Ultimate Family Reunion



The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group is studying God's providence or divine providence in the lives of David and Joseph and how we can apply His providence in their lives to our lives today.

The providence of God is the governance of God by which He, with wisdom and love, cares for and directs all things in the universe. Divine providence asserts that God is in complete control of all things. He is sovereign over the universe. He is in control of the physical world. He is in control of the affairs of nations. He is in control of human destiny. He is in control of human successes and failures. He protects His people.

In our study last week Joseph told his brothers that what they did to him in selling him as a slave and telling their father that he was dead, although they considered it bad that it was all part of God's plan which was to save them. The lesson for us today is that when you see God's hand in every situation it will allow you to not get frustrated or depressed no matter what you are going through.  God has a plan; you just don’t see all of it right now.  With a vertical focus you will not stay stuck even in a bad situation you can say like Joseph “you meant it for bad, but God meant it for good.

Today we see the reunion of Joseph with his father after more than 20 years. This brings to mind the reunion that the family of God will have on Jesus' second advent and just as there is a big dinner or picnic at a family reunion, when we have that final ultimate reunion of the family of God, we will all sit down together at the wedding supper of the Lamb.

For our study we are using Great Lives: David: A Man of Passion and Destiny, and Joseph: A Man of Integrity and Forgiveness by Charles R. Swindoll. To study along with us you can purchase the books by clicking the Links here or the images after the notes.

The providence of God or divine providence is the governance of God by which He, with wisdom and love, cares for and directs all things in the universe. Divine providence asserts that God is in complete control of all things. He is sovereign over the universe as a whole, He is in control of the physical world, He is in control of the affairs of nations, He’s in control of human destiny, He’s in control of human successes and failures, He protects His people.  Through divine providence God accomplishes His will.

Last week we saw that Judah finally truly repeated and confessed that they had all conspired against Joseph resulting in his being sold as a slave. They were all guilty and what was happening to them, which they couldn't recognize as grace, because of their feelings of guilt, was punishment from God.  Judah was also willing to take the consequences on himself to save his brothers and his father.   When Joseph saw this true repentance he revealed himself to his brothers. 


They were shocked and terrified, but Joseph told them that what they planned for evil was actually part of God's plan which was to save them.  Joseph was God’s man.  He had always acknowledged God which meant he had s vertical perspective.  How else could he have forgiven his brothers and said it didn’t matter what they did it was really God and he did it so I could save you. 


Genesis 45:7‭-‬13 NIV But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, Lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me Lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.’ “You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.”


Joseph was both forgiving and he was humble.  He was a man of great integrity and forgiveness.  It was possible because his focus was alway vertical and not horizontal. 


Today we talk about a family reunion 


The reunion of Joseph with his father and his meeting all of his family. 


Talk about the Burrell family reunion.


Remember when Joseph recognized his brothers they told him that their father who was also his father,  was

 still alive. 


Genesis 42:13 NIV But they replied, “Your servants were twelve brothers, the sons of one man, who lives in the land of Canaan. The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more.”


When they came back with Benjamin for more grain Joseph again asked about their father. 


Genesis 43:26‭-‬27 NIV When Joseph came home, they presented to him the gifts they had brought into the house, and they bowed down before him to the ground. He asked them how they were, and then he said, “How is your aged father you told me about? Is he still living?”


After Joseph revealed himself to them and shared that the famine was not over and that it was God who sent him ahead in order to save them.  He told them to go back to Cannan and get their father and their families.  


The desire of Joseph's heart was to see his father and to get all his family to move to Egypt and to live near him so he could provide for them without reservation and without limitation.


Because the Lord was always with Joseph, we know that Pharaoh trusted and relied on him as an adviser.   When he heard the news that Joseph had reconciled with him family and wanted to take care of them, he added his approval as the leader of Egypt.  He even made the move easier by commanding that Joseph send wagons and provisions for the journey.


Genesis 45:16‭-‬21 NIV When the news reached Pharaoh’s palace that Joseph’s brothers had come, Pharaoh and all his officials were pleased. Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.’ “You are also directed to tell them, ‘Do this: Take some carts from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come. Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours.’ ” So the sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them carts, as Pharaoh had commanded, and he also gave them provisions for their journey.


Although they had confessed and repented Joseph still kniew his brothers and what they were capable of so he wanted to just make sure that they would get along on the way back home.  Especially since Benjamin was given more stuff for trip back home.


Genesis 45:22 NIV  To each of them he gave new clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes.


Everybody got stuff but Benjamin got more.  Think back to the genesis of their hatred of Joseph.  


Genesis 37:3‭-‬4 NIV Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.


Let’s be honest Joseph does show favoritism to Benjamin we can’t discount that.  So Joseph knowing his brother’s history, even though he extended grace to them, he admonished them to not quarrel.


Genesis 45:22‭-‬24 NIV To each of them he gave new clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes. And this is what he sent to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey. Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, “Don’t quarrel on the way!”


Let’s talk about us now.  We are all brothers and sisters in the same family.  The family of God.  Our father gives us all gifts.  Some get more gifts than others.  Some get gifts that some of us think are more important than others. We think, because we all want to chart our own way, because we think we know better than God.  What Joseph said to his brothers when he said don’t argue in spite of the difference in the gifts Paul said to the church the family of God.  


1 Corinthians 12:4‭-‬11‭, ‬27‭-‬31 NIV There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way.


What is that most excellent way?


1 Corinthians 13:1‭-‬3 NIV If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.





So, they get back to Cannan with all this stuff and they tell Jacob that this is from the son that he thought was dead. When he heard this, it seemed too good to be true.


Genesis 45:25‭-‬26 NIV So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.” Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them.


As far as he knew Joseph had been dead for the last 25 years. 


Genesis 37:31‭-‬35 NIV Then they got Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. They took the ornate robe back to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe.” He recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces.” Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days. All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said, “I will continue to mourn until I join my son in the grave.” So his father wept for him.


So, it took him a minute to get it together.  


Genesis 45:27‭-‬28 NIV But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. And Israel said, “I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”


Before we go to Egypt let’s go back to the promise that God made to Abraham, Jacob’s grandfather.


Genesis 15:12‭-‬16 NIV As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him. Then the Lord said to him, “Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. You, however, will go to your ancestors in peace and be buried at a good old age. In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.”


So, although Jacob and his family were going to Egypt God reminded Jacob that they would come back to the Promised Land and, in fact, he would come back himself.  


Genesis 46:1‭-‬4 NIV So Israel set out with all that was his, and when he reached Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!” “Here I am,” he replied. “I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.”


When God makes a promise He keeps it, no matter how long it takes.  


So, we have this rag tag, motley crew of Israelites from Cannan coming to Egypt which at this time was one of the dominate nations in the world at that time.  


Scholars have estimated that Jacob moved to Egypt about 1876 B.C., which falls within the era known as the Middle Kingdom and the Twelfth Dynasty.

                  

According to historians, this was a period of great power and stability in Egypt.  Military campaigns and mining expeditions to outlying provinces and neighboring countries made Egypt a dominant, international, almost imperial, power. The development of its economy, as well as achievements in education, sculpture, architecture, and literature made this a classic period.


Now the long-anticipated reunion.


Genesis 46:28‭-‬30 NIV Now Jacob sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to get directions to Goshen. When they arrived in the region of Goshen, Joseph had his chariot made ready and went to Goshen to meet his father Israel. As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time. Israel said to Joseph, “Now I am ready to die, since I have seen for myself that you are still alive.”


Joseph couldn't wait, once he knew that his father had arrived, he went to meet him.  It doesn’t say that Jacob cried but my guess is that they both did and probably a lot of others.  


What a wonderful time.


Our author Chuck Swindall said that this reunion reminded him of some other reunions and the reaction of weeping because of joy.  The first was a national reunion, of sorts.  It was the nation of Israel being released from exile in Babylon to go back to their homeland, to Judah after 70 years.   


Ezra 1:1‭-‬4 NIV In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing: “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: “ ‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them. And in any locality where survivors may now be living, the people are to provide them with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.’ ”


Jerusalem had been destroyed. Hardly a stone was left standing.

So, the people began to rebuild the wall as well as the place of worship, and they gathered in the city square to hear the Word of God read for the first time in decades.            

               

They had been in captivity for seventy years. What nationalistic zeal and pride must have surged through those Jewish veins as they stood once more in their homeland and heard Ezra begin to read aloud the Word of their God.


Nehemiah 8:9‭-‬12 NIV Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.” Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.


When they heard the Word of God in their own ears for the first time after all those years—some of them for the first time ever—they lifted up their hands in praise and they wept aloud.


Another reunion was the one Jesus described in His parable of the Prodigal Son.  This one was a personal reunion. 


Luke 15:20‭-‬24 NIV So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.


This was also a reunion that occurred when someone was returning home.


Then there will be the reunion of the family of God.  The final, ultimate family reunion.  All of our loved ones who have accepted Jesus as their Savior will be at that reunion.  


1 Thessalonians 4:13‭-‬18 NIV Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.


Most reunions have a big meal.  It may be a banquet or a picnic or both.  There will be a lot of food and fellowship.  


Revelation 19:6‭-‬9 NIV Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”


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Friday, July 14, 2023

God's Providence Session 32 - Real Repentance and Joseph Reveals Himself to His Brothers



The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group is studying God's providence or divine providence in the lives of David and Joseph and how we can apply His providence in their lives to our lives today.

The providence of God is the governance of God by which He, with wisdom and love, cares for and directs all things in the universe. Divine providence asserts that God is in complete control of all things. He is sovereign over the universe. He is in control of the physical world. He is in control of the affairs of nations. He is in control of human destiny. He is in control of human successes and failures. He protects His people.

Last week we looked at how grace operates, as Joseph deals with his brothers on their second visit to Egypt. This week we see real repentance as Judah finally confesses to the brothers' actions toward Joseph fueled by their hatred of him because their father favored him over them. In his confession we see that he and his brothers really have a change of heart and mind which is true repentance.

When Joseph sees this true repentance, he reveals himself to his brothers and tells them that all the bad that happened to him as a result of their actions of hatred by them was all part of God's plan. i it didn’t matter what they did it was really God and he did it so I could save them and their families. 

The lesson for us today is that when you see God's hand in every situation it will allow you to not get frustrated or depressed no matter what you are going through.  God has a plan; you just don’t see all of it right now.  With a vertical focus you will not stay stuck even in a bad situation you can say like Joseph “you meant it for bad, but God meant it for good.

For our study we are using Great Lives: David: A Man of Passion and Destiny, and Joseph: A Man of Integrity and Forgiveness by Charles R. Swindoll. To study along with us you can purchase the books by clicking the Links here or the images after the notes.

The providence of God or divine providence is the governance of God by which He, with wisdom and love, cares for and directs all things in the universe. Divine providence asserts that God is in complete control of all things. He is sovereign over the universe as a whole, He is in control of the physical world, He is in control of the affairs of nations, He’s in control of human destiny, He’s in control of human successes and failures, He protects His people.  Through divine providence God accomplishes His will.

 Last week we talked about what real grace looks like.  Joseph was now in a position to extract revenge on his brothers for all that had happened to him, starting with being thrown in a well, then being sold as a slave, which resulted in his being falsely accused and thrown into prison and forgotten.  We know and we know that he knew that the Lord was with him 

Genesis 39:2‭-‬4 NIV The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.

Genesis 39:21 NIV the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.

He know that because He gave the credit to God for the interpretation of dreams that finally got him out of prison and for keeping him from falling into temptation that may have changed everything.  


Genesis 39:8‭-‬9 NIV But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”


Genesis 40:8 NIV “We both had dreams,” they answered, “but there is no one to interpret them.” Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.”

Genesis 41:15‭-‬16 NIV Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”

We’ve talked about first trip to Egypt where Joseph recognizes his brothers, and they don’t recognize them.  They tell him that their father, who is also his father, is still alive and that his younger brother is still alive.  He tells them that in order to prove that they are not spies, and to get Simeon who he holds hostage they have to bring their brother back with them.  Their father Jacob refuses because he thinks that something will happen to Benjamin, the youngest son and Joseph’s brother and he couldn’t take it.  Judah agrees to take responsibility for Benjamin's return.

Genesis 43:8‭-‬10 NIV Then Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the boy along with me and we will go at once, so that we and you and our children may live and not die. I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him here before you, I will bear the blame before you all my life. As it is, if we had not delayed, we could have gone and returned twice.”

Ultimately, they go back not knowing what to expect and they are met with extreme grace.   They are invited to Joseph’s house for a feast.   Joseph arranges them in order of their birth around the table, gives his brother the biggest portion, release Simeon sells them the grain and sends them on their way.  They still don’t know that the prime minister is their brother.  

Now let’s get to today’s study.

The thing that we have learned about Joseph is that he has always maintained a positive attitude, and we can attribute that positive attitude to his faith in God.  He knew that in whatever situation he was in that the Lord was with him.  He wanted to see that same attitude in his brothers, so he set up a test.

Remember on the first trip to Egypt Joseph had their money put back into their sacks.  They didn’t see this as a act of grace because their consciences started to bother them about what they did to Joseph 20 years before.

Genesis 42:25‭-‬28 NIV Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to put each man’s silver back in his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. After this was done for them, they loaded their grain on their donkeys and left. At the place where they stopped for the night one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey, and he saw his silver in the mouth of his sack. “My silver has been returned,” he said to his brothers. “Here it is in my sack.” Their hearts sank and they turned to each other trembling and said, “What is this that God has done to us?”


They remembered, but still, they had not yet fully repented their evil ways.  So, Joseph set up a test.


He had his steward put their money back in their sacks as before but this time he had him put his own silver cup placed in the top of Benjamin’s sack.


Genesis 44:1‭-‬13 NIV  Now Joseph gave these instructions to the steward of his house: “Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man’s silver in the mouth of his sack. Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack, along with the silver for his grain.” And he did as Joseph said. As morning dawned, the men were sent on their way with their donkeys. They had not gone far from the city when Joseph said to his steward, “Go after those men at once, and when you catch up with them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid good with evil? Isn’t this the cup my master drinks from and also uses for divination? This is a wicked thing you have done.’ ” When he caught up with them, he repeated these words to them. But they said to him, “Why does my Lord say such things? Far be it from your servants to do anything like that! We even brought back to you from the land of Canaan the silver we found inside the mouths of our sacks. So why would we steal silver or gold from your master’s house? If any of your servants is found to have it, he will die; and the rest of us will become my Lord’s slaves.” “Very well, then,” he said, “let it be as you say. Whoever is found to have it will become my slave; the rest of you will be free from blame.” Each of them quickly lowered his sack to the ground and opened it. Then the steward proceeded to search, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. At this, they tore their clothes. Then they all loaded their donkeys and returned to the city.


Now we have a big problem.  They know that they had not done anything wrong so when they see that the money is there and Joseph’s cup they are dumbfounded.


They had to return to the city with the steward, of course, where they were immediately ushered into the prime minister’s presence. There, Judah did the talking.


He didn’t admit to taking the money and cup, but he did confess of what they had done to Joseph and that he know that God was not having them deal with it, and they, all of them had to deal with the consequences.  This was a vertical focus.


Genesis 44:16 NIV “What can we say to my Lord?” Judah replied. “What can we say? How can we prove our innocence? God has uncovered your servants’ guilt. We are now my Lord’s slaves—we ourselves and the one who was found to have the cup.”


He didn’t try to put the blame on anybody, not even Benjamin. He didn’t blame his father he didn’t put the blame on anybody because they were all in this together.   


Joseph said all of you may have been involved with the sin you’re talking about, but I am dealing with the guy who stole my cup so the rest of you can go.


Genesis 44:17 NIV But Joseph said, “Far be it from me to do such a thing! Only the man who was found to have the cup will become my slave. The rest of you, go back to your father in peace.”


It looks to me that Joseph is trying to see if they have changed.  Are they going to sacrifice Benjamine to save their own skins?  Are they going to sacrifice him and abandon him like they did him?  


Judah spoke up again and said if you are going to keep anybody keep me.  I told my dad if I don’t come back with Benjamin hold me responsible 


Genesis 43:8‭-‬9 NIV Then Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the boy along with me and we will go at once, so that we and you and our children may live and not die. I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him here before you, I will bear the blame before you all my life.


Genesis 44:30‭-‬34 NIV “So now, if the boy is not with us when I go back to your servant my father, and if my father, whose life is closely bound up with the boy’s life, sees that the boy isn’t there, he will die. Your servants will bring the gray head of our father down to the grave in sorrow. Your servant guaranteed the boy’s safety to my father. I said, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, I will bear the blame before you, my father, all my life!’ “Now then, please let your servant remain here as my Lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery that would come on my father.”


Judah and his brothers were becoming transformed men, and Joseph recognized this. They were changed men their hearts had changed.  Now was the perfect time for Joseph to reveal his identity.


Genesis 45:1‭-‬3 NIV Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it. Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.


Obviously they were terrified, but Joseph tried to reassure them.


Genesis 45:4‭-‬5 NIV Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.


All of this, even the bad that you did to me was all par of God’s plan.


Genesis 45:6‭-‬8 NIV For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, Lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.


Joseph was God’s man.  He had always acknowledged God which meant he had s vertical perspective.  How else could he have forgiven his brothers and said it didn’t matter what they did it was really God and he did it so I could save you. 


Genesis 45:7‭-‬13 NIV But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, Lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me Lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.’ “You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.”


Joseph was both forgiving, and he was humble.  He was a man of great integrity and forgiveness.  It was possible because his focus was always vertical and not horizontal. 


With a vertical focus, which means you have faith because without it, faith that is, it is impossible to please God.


Hebrews 11:6 NIV And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.


With a vertical focus you can see God’s plan.  Joseph said God sent me, you didn’t do it God sent me and set everything in motion so that we are where we are today.


You can see God’s hand in every situation.  That will allow you to not get frustrated or depressed no matter what you are going through.  God has a plan, you just don’t see all of it right now. 


Isaiah 55:9‭-‬11 NIV  “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.


With a vertical focus you will not stay stuck even in a bad situation you can say like Joseph “you meant it for bad, but God meant it for good.



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