Notes from July 21, 2013 - Genesis 43:15-34

Genesis 43:15-34

READING

15 So the men took the gifts and double the amount of silver, and Benjamin also. They hurried down to Egypt and presented themselves to Joseph.  16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my house, slaughter an animal and prepare a meal; they are to eat with me at noon.”

17 The man did as Joseph told him and took the men to Joseph’s house. 18 Now the men were frightened when they were taken to his house. They thought, “We were brought here because of the silver that was put back into our sacks the first time. He wants to attack us and overpower us and seize us as slaves and take our donkeys.”

19 So they went up to Joseph’s steward and spoke to him at the entrance to the house. 20 “We beg your pardon, our lord,” they said, “we came down here the first time to buy food. 21 But at the place where we stopped for the night we opened our sacks and each of us found his silver—the exact weight—in the mouth of his sack. So we have brought it back with us. 22 We have also brought additional silver with us to buy food. We don’t know who put our silver in our sacks.”

23 “It’s all right,” he said. “Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I received your silver.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.

24 The steward took the men into Joseph’s house, gave them water to wash their feet and provided fodder for their donkeys. 25 They prepared their gifts for Joseph’s arrival at noon, because they had heard that they were to eat there.

26 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. 27 He asked them how they were, and then he said, “How is your aged father you told me about? Is he still living?”

28 They replied, “Your servant our father is still alive and well.” And they bowed down, prostrating themselves before him.

29 As he looked about and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother’s son, he asked, “Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?” And he said, “God be gracious to you, my son.” 30 Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there.

31 After he had washed his face, he came out and, controlling himself, said, “Serve the food.”

32 They served him by himself, the brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because Egyptians could not eat with Hebrews, for that is detestable to Egyptians. 33 The men had been seated before him in the order of their ages, from the firstborn to the youngest; and they looked at each other in astonishment. 34 When portions were served to them from Joseph’s table, Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as anyone else’s. So they feasted and drank freely with him.

Question -

What is your reaction when I say ‘family reunion’?  What types of emotions and thoughts do you have regarding this?

BOARD –

Reactions to Reunion

16-18 – Story of the Present

19-22 – Story of the Past

23-25 – Steward and Sons Prepare

26-30 – Suspicious Presentation

31-34 – Special Portion

Reminder of 15 from last week – The men went and stood before Joseph hoping to win favor with Joseph for the transaction of more grain as their primary target

Remember that Jacob is not with them and has resigned himself that he may never see some or all of them again

16-18 Story of Present

16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my house, slaughter an animal and prepare a meal; they are to eat with me at noon.”

17 The man did as Joseph told him and took the men to Joseph’s house. 18 Now the men were frightened when they were taken to his house. They thought, “We were brought here because of the silver that was put back into our sacks the first time. He wants to attack us and overpower us and seize us as slaves and take our donkeys.”

·    Notice Joseph doesn’t bring up the Spies again?

·    The brothers were taken to the house – they were in fear – they didn’t know verse 16 about the meal like you, the reader do

·    Intial reaction by both – reminder of the prodigal son – dad’s reaction verses brothers and son

·    Story one of negativity

·    What was the story based on?  Why did they believe it would be bad?

·    What is our story of the present and what is going to happen NOW?

·    When we are feeling guilty we generally see things as the worst will come

19-22 Story of Past

19 So they went up to Joseph’s steward and spoke to him at the entrance to the house. 20 “We beg your pardon, our lord,” they said, “we came down here the first time to buy food. 21 But at the place where we stopped for the night we opened our sacks and each of us found his silver—the exact weight—in the mouth of his sack. So we have brought it back with us. 22 We have also brought additional silver with us to buy food. We don’t know who put our silver in our sacks.”

·    They approached the ‘one who is over the house’ or the steward

·    Steward as in on the plan

·    do we think of the past and what we have done bad or good?

·    Does God know your past?

·    What are we trying to make up for in past?

·    When we attend a reunion with ANYONE

23-25 Steward and Sons Prepare

23 “It’s all right,” he said. “Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I received your silver.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.

24 The steward took the men into Joseph’s house, gave them water to wash their feet and provided fodder for their donkeys. 25 They prepared their gifts for Joseph’s arrival at noon, because they had heard that they were to eat there.

·    What do you do to prepare for an event?

·    Do you think about what God has done for you?

·    Do you pray before you go?

·    Are you right with God before you get physically right?

·    Then… Preparation for Joseph’s Gifts by the sons

·    Like the holy spirit – The Steward reassures and knows what they have brought – allows them to prepare

·    Credit is, once again, given to God – this time by the Steward

26-30 Suspicious Presentation

26 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. 27 He asked them how they were, and then he said, “How is your aged father you told me about? Is he still living?”

28 They replied, “Your servant our father is still alive and well.” And they bowed down, prostrating themselves before him.

29 As he looked about and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother’s son, he asked, “Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?” And he said, “God be gracious to you, my son.” 30 Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there.

·    Are there any favorites or people you like to see more at a reunion than another?  Why is that?

·    Is there anyone missing at a reunion that you wish was there?  Why?

·    What do you talk about at the reunion?

·    Is there someone that is close to you that you haven’t seen that would overwhelm you with emotion?

·    Note that this is also written so that we can see that they still don’t know this is Joseph

·    Joseph asked some questions and then had to get out as emotion overtook him –

·    Just like guys – emotion not always understood and easily worked through

31-34 – Special Portion

31 After he had washed his face, he came out and, controlling himself, said, “Serve the food.”

32 They served him by himself, the brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because Egyptians could not eat with Hebrews, for that is detestable to Egyptians. 33 The men had been seated before him in the order of their ages, from the firstborn to the youngest; and they looked at each other in astonishment. 34 When portions were served to them from Joseph’s table, Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as anyone else’s. So they feasted and drank freely with him.

·     What happens in the actual eating?

·     Does Joseph change the traditions he is living in?

·     Why are they astonished in 33?  Remember the story they had told about what was to happen versus what Joseph’s plan and the Steward’s preparation did

·     What as the special portion for Benjamin

·     Would this be suspicious or at all weird?

·     What is the last part of 34?  What does this mean compared to where they were in the first few verses today?

·     Shakar means to get tipsy or be merry – essentially – intoxicated with Him

·     Proper place and time for each thing – tradition and within Egyptian culture

·     Seems that their relationship – although unknown is going ok

·     They did not just feed – they feasted

Final Questions

·     What is our Story on the past and present when we meet with someone?

·     How do we prepare to meet with others (i.e. do we pray with our family before an event?)

·     Who do you care about and what do you feel and/or do when you are with them/without them?

·     When you are with those you love or that are special to you what do you do for them?

·     When we are presented back to God what portion will we have and what will it be like?

June 14 notes - Genesis 43:1-15

Genesis 43:1-15

 

READING

43 Now the famine was severe in the land. 2 And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the grain which they had brought from Egypt, that their father said to them, “Go back, buy us a little food.”

3 But Judah spoke to him, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ 4 If you send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food. 5 But if you will not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’”

6 And Israel said, “Why did you deal so wrongfully with me as to tell the man whether you had still another brother?”

7 But they said, “The man asked us pointedly about ourselves and our family, saying, ‘Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?’ And we told him according to these words. Could we possibly have known that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down’?”

8 Then Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. 9 I myself will be surety for him; from my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever. 10 For if we had not lingered, surely by now we would have returned this second time.”

11 And their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Take some of the best fruits of the land in your vessels and carry down a present for the man—a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. 12 Take double money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was an oversight. 13 Take your brother also, and arise, go back to the man. 14 And may God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved!”

15 So the men took that present and Benjamin, and they took double money in their hand, and arose and went down to Egypt; and they stood before Joseph.

 

 

BOARD –

 

Do you want a transaction or transparency with God?

 

TIMING

TRANSPARENCY

TARGET

TRANSACTION

 

 

 

 

1-5 Timing

 

1 Now the famine was severe in the land. 2 And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the grain which they had brought from Egypt, that their father said to them, “Go back, buy us a little food.”

3 But Judah spoke to him, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ 4 If you send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food. 5 But if you will not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’”

1 – Famine was still happening and that means most did not have food – what a blessing that they had food given to them prior along with the silver that they should have paid

 

2 – It was when THEY had need not to save Simeon that brought them back – they thought of themselves rather than Simeon

 

3 – 5 – They don’t know him by name – did they even ask?  Notice the issue of the deal not Simeon or even reputation – it is to again save themselves

 

 

·     Note that the time was still at hand for the famine as God had told through Joseph.  Notice as well that Joseph did not pursue them but rather waited. 

 

·     Holy Spirit moves where and when he wants

 

·     God allows us to come to Him when we are ready.

 

·     Do you know what you need to do to return to God?  What is holding you back?  Why are you waiting to return?  Most know what to do but do not do it.

 

 

6 – 7 Transparency

 

6 And Israel said, “Why did you deal so wrongfully with me as to tell the man whether you had still another brother?”

7 But they said, “The man asked us pointedly about ourselves and our family, saying, ‘Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?’ And we told him according to these words. Could we possibly have known that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down’?”

 

6 – Israel is named and asks now why this happened – it must have been because of these boys – note who he says is being harmed – HIM rather than simeon or someone else

 

7 – The boys argue back that they just answered honestly

 

·     Have we been caught just telling the truth – arguing that it must be someone else’s fault or even thinking that this is a bad story rather than one God has prepared for Good?

 

·     We are like CS Lewis puts it in the author of the story – how stupid are these guys – because we can see the end – but noting we would likely do the same thing – focus on ourselves and what we want and making up bad stories about what God is up to

 

·     So now both of the parties (Jacob/boys) have finally spoken of what happened in truthful ways – Jacob feels betrayed and blames the boys and the boys said they were just not thinking about being trapped by Joseph – both truth –

 

o  John 4:24 - God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

o  Ephesians 4:25

 

 

8-10 Target

 

8 Then Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. 9 I myself will be surety for him; from my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever. 10 For if we had not lingered, surely by now we would have returned this second time.”

 

8 – the boys could not be trusted to do this but note now there has to be a trust – we will die if you don’t let me go – and we must bring the brother or there will be no dealing in grain

 

9 – Personal blame is now being put on Judah if he doesn’t bring him back

 

10 – A dig at all of them for not going sooner

 

·     Judah’s plan in 37 saved Joseph and now is intended to save Simeon – note that this transaction between Judah and Jacob was based on a much different offer than that of Reuben in 42:37 – He offered HIMSELF

 

·     Still has feelings against Jacob and the group for not saving Simeon sooner

 

 

11-15 Transaction

 

11 And their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Take some of the best fruits of the land in your vessels and carry down a present for the man—a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. 12 Take double money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was an oversight. 13 Take your brother also, and arise, go back to the man. 14 And may God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved!”

15 So the men took that present and Benjamin, and they took double money in their hand, and arose and went down to Egypt; and they stood before Joseph.

 

11 – Take the best items – note there is a famine so these may have not been great – the rest would have been a significant offering based on the famine

 

·     What do you try and offer God?  Why don’t we simply be honest in front of Him and do what he asks simply?

 

 

12 – So double the money along with the initial money – so make up for what was given to them to try and strike the deal – could it have been an oversight?

 

·     Could what you have been given by God be an oversight?

 

13 – Finally, after all the haggling and waiting we get to the one simple thing the ‘man’ asked to be done – take the brother

 

14 – Hope is either a fierce declaration of a promise or it is the lowest form of despair – at this point it is definitely lowest form of despair – not what is happening here -

 

·     When Jacob has nothing else to go with he THEN calls on God – not in the meeting with the others – not in what happened but now – and  THEN says – if all is lost all will be lost – such HOPE!  NOT!!!

·     Same as what happened in Esther 4:16

 

15 – The time of reckoning is ready (we will study more next week

 

·     How do we do when we stand before God?

 

o  Do we have money?

o  Do we have gifts like honey and other items?

o  Do we have what God has asked for?

o  Did we do it in the timing He requested or when WE were ready?

 

·     2 Corinthians 5:10 - For we must all appear before the tribunal of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or worthless.

 

·    Last week we did 1 John 1:8 and 10.  This week let’s talk to 1:9 – Who this God is…

 

 

Final Questions –

 

TIMING – What are you waiting for to come back to Christ?  Or even come to Him the first time?

 

TRANSPARENCY – Are you being transparent with God about where you are, what you are struggling with, and what you need?

 

TARGET – What is your ultimate target?  Answer honestly

 

TRANSACTION – Are you wanting a transaction with God?  What do you have to give Him that isn’t His already?  Is there anything – YES is the answer but only one thing.

 

·     Temptation and Tests sometimes Overwhelm our basic nature – some info from GotQuestions.org:

 

·     The Psalmist likens our testing to that of being refined like silver (Psalm 66:10).

 

·     Elsewhere in Scripture we can read of our trials as that of gold being refined in order to remove all its impurities (1 Peter 1:7).

 

·     By the testing of our faith, God causes us to grow and mature into strong disciples who truly live by faith in Him, not by what we see (2 Corinthians 5:7).

 

·     Most comforting of all, we know that God will never allow us to be tested beyond what we are able to handle and in all things will provide a way out of the test (1 Corinthians 10:13).