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Bible 101 Lesson 9B

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Jim Parker

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Bible 101 Lesson 9B

Read Chapter 45. Joseph reveals himself to his brothers. (Remember, if you really want to know what it says, read it 5 times.)

After Judah spoke up and offered himself as a slave rather than Benjamin. Apparently this act of selflessness and love toward his young brother is more than Joseph can handle emotionally.

Gen 45:1-2 Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Make everyone go out from me!” So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it.

Imagine this scene. This all-powerful ruler who could have them all put to death with just a word breaks down and weeps before the sons of Jacob. They must have been bewildered as to what was happening and what was wrong with this ruler. Had this person who had the power of life and death over them suddenly lost his mind?


Gen 45:3 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph; does my father still live?”
But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence.


Dismayed? They were scared to death. This is the one they sold into slavery and now he’s the ruler of Egypt. They are terrified that he will repay them for what they did to him. I'm sure they were thinking, "Oh! No! We're dead meat!"

Gen 45:5 But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.

This is an example someone being a foreshadowing of Christ. God sent Jesus in order that all mankind could be raised from the dead and have the possibility of eternal life.

Gen 45:7 And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

That posterity will be David and the descendant of David according to the flesh; Jesus of Nazareth.

Gen 45:8 So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

Compare this statement to what Peter told the crowds at Pentecost.

Act 2:29-33a Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God,…”
Act 2:36
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

God can and does use even the most evil purposes and acts of men to achieve His purposes.

Joseph’s brother’s wanted to kill him because he was their father’s favorite and because he had prophetic dreams. Just as it was to be a consistent failure of the nation of Israel who killed the prophets whom God sent to them, so these sons of Israel (Jacob) tried to get rid of the prophet among them because they didn’t like what he prophesied.

And, as the Jews of Jesus’ time turned against Him and, at the urging of their religious leaders, had him crucified and buried, so Joseph’s brothers turned against him. Also, in a manner similar to Jesus’ burial, put Joseph in a hole in the ground.

As Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, having been given all authority in heaven and earth, so Joseph was taken up from the “grave” (hole) and ascended to the right hand of Pharaoh and given all authority in all of Egypt.

Pharaoh responds favorably to the news that Joseph’s brothers had come.

Gen 45:16-18 Now the report of it was heard in Pharaoh’s house, saying, “Joseph’s brothers have come.” So it pleased Pharaoh and his servants well. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and depart; go to the land of Canaan. ‘Bring your father and your households and come to me; I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the fat of the land.

By being the brothers of Joseph, all of Joseph’s family was delivered from the threat of death that the famine brought. Also, they were brought into Egypt and given the best land so that they would prosper generation after generation.

How does this situation compare with Christian salvation?

1. Being a member of Joseph’s family is a type of being a member of the body of Christ Who is the “firstborn of many brethren.” BY being united to Joseph, his family was assured of life. By being united to Christ, believers are assured of eternal life.

2. Joseph is submitted only to Pharaoh. This reflects Christ being submitted only to the Father whose will Christ does perfectly.

3. Egypt, in this case, is a type of the kingdom of God. As the children of Israel entered Egypt by being the family of Joseph, so believers enter the kingdom of God by being the of the family of Christ.
 
Jim this is marvellous
I have never noticed all the different 'types' before
Joseph has always been a favourite of mine.
He wept over his brothers - Jesus wept over Jerusalem.
 
Gen 45:3 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph; does my father still live?”
But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence.
I am not surprised. The good thing God gave Joseph a chance to have his brothers be made slaves in the same way they sold him as a slave. Joseph showed humility and compassion towards his hateful brothers, its a good lesson that we need to learn in how to deal with others.
 
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