July 7, 2013 Notes - Genesis 42:29-38

Genesis 42:29-38

 

READING

29 When they came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them. They said, 30 “The man who is lord over the land spoke harshly to us and treated us as though we were spying on the land. 31 But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we are not spies. 32 We were twelve brothers, sons of one father. One is no more, and the youngest is now with our father in Canaan.’

33 “Then the man who is lord over the land said to us, ‘This is how I will know whether you are honest men: Leave one of your brothers here with me, and take food for your starving households and go. 34 But bring your youngest brother to me so I will know that you are not spies but honest men. Then I will give your brother back to you, and you can trade[a] in the land.’”

35 As they were emptying their sacks, there in each man’s sack was his pouch of silver! When they and their father saw the money pouches, they were frightened. 36 Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!”

37 Then Reuben said to his father, “You may put both of my sons to death if I do not bring him back to you. Entrust him to my care, and I will bring him back.”

38 But Jacob said, “My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in sorrow.”

 

 

BOARD –

 

What is your CONFIDENCE in God?

 

CIRCUMSTANCE

CONFUSION

CRY

CONCLUSION

 

 

 

RECALL last week – and the meeting of all but Benjamin with Joseph in Egypt to buy grain.  Note that our last verse they spoke to God’s work in the silver (money) being in their pack

 

 

 

CIRCUMSTANCE

 

29 – The sons return to tell the story to Jacob who is in the land of Canaan

RETELL WHAT CANAAN is about/is not

 

30 – Specifically they said he spoke harshly – remember that they had the grain and the money – they were missing Simeon – DID JOSEPH, IN FACT, TREAT THEM AS IF THEY WERE SPIES IN THE LAND?  Or did He give them their grain for FREE?

 

31- They again recant to another person that they are honest although they had been dishonest to Jacob about his son already – THEY ATTEMPT TO CONCEAL their honesty issue as they didn’t know who they were talking to

 

32 – They recount what they said to Joseph including that they told him that one of the brothers was not with them and that they numbered 12.    Note the number of disciples, the number of tribes – fun study to do around the numbers of disciples and tribes

 

·      1 JOHN 1:8, 10 – We lie if we say we don’t have/do not sin

 

·      What is YOUR circumstance? 

 

·      Are you attempting to conceal your Sin from God or from others? 

 

·      What would happen if you opened up about your sin to others and to God?

 

 

 

CONFUSION

 

33 – They tell of Joseph taking Simeon but allowing them to go and have food for the starving households

 

34 – The test of the spies issue was to bring back the younger brother – promise was to give Simeon back once they show that they have 12 brothers

 

35 – One of them (verse 27 and 28) had already opened the sack and found the money – obviously the rest had not done this yet.  They were frightened – why were they frightened?  They didn’t know the person that had given them this.  They didn’t know why he had given this back to them. If he had given them all the money back obviously it was a planned and on purpose event

 

·      Their former sin has put them on their heels regarding their brothers

 

·      Their finding of the silver should have produced an understanding of blessing but they were afraid instead

 

·      What have you been given even though you are a sinner?  Are you afraid of it?

 

·      Are we afraid of Christ or do we run to Him?

 

·      When we are given or others are given what story do we tell? 

 

·       Matthew 5:45

King James Version (KJV)

45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

 

 

CRY (Calamity)

 

36 – Two of Jacobs sons were currently lost – because they didn’t TRUST God – There is a cry by Jacob that everything is against him – how can this be?  Wasn’t he renamed already?  Didn’t he wrestle with God?  Hadn’t he seen God work already?  How can he possibly think everything is against him?

 

·      Jacob doesn’t trust the sons and now blames them for the imprisonment of another

 

·      Notice his faith is waining on what God would do or want?   Why is this?

 

·      Jacob doesn’t even mention God.  His crying out is about the circumstances and confusion over what is happening to him and his family.  But again, he does not cry out to God.

 

·      When have you cried out but not to God – just in confusion regarding the circumstance?

 

·      Psalm 57:1-2  - Who do we go to when calamity comes our way

 

 

CONCLUSION (one more is lost – cannot trust the family)

 

37 – Reuben tries to get Simeon back by taking Benjamin to Joseph and gives the oath of putting his own sons to death if he doesn’t bring back Benjamin.  His reputation had been ruined earlier.  He had not been able to save Joseph. 

 

38 – So Jacob shows his love again as well as a distrust of the boys.  Simeon is hostage and yet Jacob will not allow Benjamin to go to get him back as he doesn’t trust Reuben or others.

 

 

·      Are the relationship issues, the money issues, other issues to be against you? 

 

·      What is your purpose?   Is it to have the the easiest life possible with all the circumstances around you or is it to glorify God and watch Him work?

 

·      The refuge and conclusion for those that are confused about their circumstances is regularly to hunker down and wait.  This is what they did.

 

·      These guys did not know who they were dealing with or why it was happening. 

 

·      For believers it is hard sometimes with the circumstances we are given to understand the promise and how our concerns are being used and guided by God

 

Romans – pruning the grapes for even more fruit – John 15:1-5

 

·      If we think about what is DUE to us and what grace we have been given we won’t get DISCOURAGED which leads to seeking refuge in circumstanced but rather will have us become DETERMINED to serve him as Joseph did.

 

·      NEXT WEEK WE WILL DISCOVER IN 43 –how the concealing will be revealed, the conviction of Joseph brought the appropriate response, and the corrections needed along the way to bring reconciliation and ultimately even the Hebrews to Egypt for captivity and release.

 

 

 

 

Final Questions – How convicted are we to Grow in helping those in confusion, chaos, and crying out for God?

CIRCUMSTANCE:

·       Ps. 24:1-2, Ps. 19:2, Prov. 1:20; Mark 8:35 – It is all His anyway – give it up!

·       Ps. 1:6, Luke 12:49-51, Ps. 92:9 – He is separating not unifying all people

CONFUSION:

 

·       Even the Disciples not so faithful – John 6:5-9

CRY:

 

·       Romans 3:3 – Even if some are unfaithful

 

·       He is faithful – 2 Tim 2:13 – even when we are not

 

·       Romans 8:26 – Even when we don’t know what to pray the Spirit intercedes

CONCLUSION:

 

·       Ultimately we cannot be taken – regardless of what happens on this side of heaven – John 10:29

 

 

 

Deuteronomy 4:31 
For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath.

Deuteronomy 7:9 
Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

Deuteronomy 32:4 
He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.

Numbers 23:19 
God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?

1 Kings 8:56 
Praise be to the LORD, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses.

Psalm 9:10 
Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Psalm 36:5
Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.

Psalm 40:10 
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.

Psalm 89:2, 8 
I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself... O LORD God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you.

Psalm 89:33
but I will not take my love from him, nor will I ever betray my faithfulness.

Psalm 92:1-2
It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night,

Psalm 105:8 
He remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded, for a thousand generations

Psalms 111:5
He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.

Psalm 117 
Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD.

Psalm 119:89-90
Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.

Psalm 119:160 
All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.

Psalm 143:1 
O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness
come to my relief.

Isaiah 25:1
O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.

Isaiah 46:11b 
What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.

Isaiah 49:7
This is what the LORD says— the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel— to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers: "Kings will see you and rise up, princes will see and bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you."

Isaiah 54:10
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

Lamentations 3:22-24
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."

Romans 3:3-4 
What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written: "So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge."

1 Corinthians 1:9
God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

2 Corinthians 1:20 
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God.

I Thessalonians 5:23-24
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

I John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Revelation 19:11
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war.

Links for Famine in Egypt

Sorry these are so late -

I know a few of you were looking for the links I mentioned in class regarding the archeological evidence for the famine in Egypt during Josephs time.  There are several.  The best way to research this is to go to Answers in Genesis website (   )  and they have several articles and books if you want to dig deep.

For easy reviews you can go to these:

1. http://abcnews.go.com/2020/video/joseph-biblical-times-archeologists-seek-ancient-famine-evidence-18042343
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtwXJTyFyhU
3. From the book Pharaoh's and Kings by David Rohl - 

• There is a rock-cut tomb in middle Egypt that dates from just before the time of Joseph. On the interior wall there is painted a scene of Asiatics entering Egypt carrying goods to sell to the Egyptians. There is text accompanying the scene. They wear colorful striped garments which numerous commentators have likened to Joseph's 'coat of many colors.' These were Midianite caravaneers like the ones who brought Joseph into Egypt. (pg 359-360)
• There is a twice-life-size statue (probably of Joseph himself) found in his tomb in which he is wearing a coat of many colors. (pg 366)

1. http://godssecret.wordpress.com/2009/03/27/archeological-biblical-proofs-0f-joseph-in-egypt-exodus-and-first-temple-period/

If you need more please let me know!

June 30 Notes Genesis 42:1-28

Genesis 42:1-28

READING

42 Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said to his sons, “Why are you staring at one another?” 2 He said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down there and buy some for us from that place, so that we may live and not die.” 3 Then ten brothers of Joseph went down to buy grain from Egypt. 4 But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, “I am afraid that harm may befall him.” 5 So the sons of Israel came to buy grain among those who were coming, for the famine was in the land of Canaan also.

6 Now Joseph was the ruler over the land; he was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. 7 When Joseph saw his brothers he recognized them, but he disguised himself to them and spoke to them harshly. And he said to them, “Where have you come from?” And they said, “From the land of Canaan, to buy food.”

8 But Joseph had recognized his brothers, although they did not recognize him. 9 Joseph remembered the dreams which he had about them, and said to them, “You are spies; you have come to look at the undefended parts of our land.” 10 Then they said to him, “No, my lord, but your servants have come to buy food. 11 We are all sons of one man; we are honest men, your servants are not spies.” 12 Yet he said to them, “No, but you have come to look at the undefended parts of our land!” 13 But they said, “Your servants are twelve brothers in all, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and behold, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no longer alive.” 14 Joseph said to them, “It is as I said to you, you are spies; 15 by this you will be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here! 16 Send one of you that he may get your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. But if not, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.” 17 So he put them all together in prison for three days.

18 Now Joseph said to them on the third day, “Do this and live, for I fear God: 19 if you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined in your prison; but as for the rest of you, go, carry grain for the famine of your households, 20 and bring your youngest brother to me, so your words may be verified, and you will not die.” And they did so. 21 Then they said to one another, “Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen; therefore this distress has come upon us.” 22 Reuben answered them, saying, “Did I not tell you, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Now comes the reckoning for his blood.” 23 They did not know, however, that Joseph understood, for there was an interpreter between them. 24 He turned away from them and wept. But when he returned to them and spoke to them, he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes. 25 Then Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain and to restore every man’s money in his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. And thus it was done for them.

26 So they loaded their donkeys with their grain and departed from there. 27 As one of them opened his sack to give his donkey fodder at the lodging place, he saw his money; and behold, it was in the mouth of his sack. 28 Then he said to his brothers, “My money has been returned, and behold, it is even in my sack.” And their hearts sank, and they turned trembling to one another, saying, “What is this that God has done to us?”

BOARD – 

Do our plans align with His purpose? (yes and no)

PLANS

PROBLEM

PENALTY

PURPOSE

Plans 1-5

Jacob has not been mentioned since 37:34

Must go to Egypt to live

Our initial needs as part of God’s plan (note the last verse of chapter 41)

Why didn’t he send Benjamin?

4 - What had already befallen his other brother Joseph?

5 - As with the end of 41 the famine was all over

Questions:

·      Was the plan “bad”?

·      Is there anything you would have changed about this plan?

Problem 6-13

6 people had to buy directly from joseph – had to come face to face with him

7-8 Being told twice in 7 and 8 that they didn’t recognize him but he recognized them

9 - Motivation was not revenge based on what they did but on the dreams that he had about them

10- 12 Separation within this of the ten brothers and the two from Rachel – Joseph and Benjamin

13 – Reminder of what they did to their brother – in their version of the story he is simply ‘no more’

Questions:

·      Direct confrontation with who they had harmed but they didn’t know it – they were just doing what they do – sometimes we harm those and don’t even know it – other times we are callus

·      What have we done to God and haven’t repented or even care that now we are asking Him to help?  Do we repent before we ask for help?

·      Joseph knew they were missing Benjamin – why did he accuse them of being spies?  Did he have to do that to get them to come back with the brother?  His way doesn’t seem well done but allowed what will happen in 44

·      Ultimately they told their story and had to admit that one was ‘no more’ – Do we admit what we have done or is it a different more easily told story

1.   David – Psalm 51:1-6

Penalty 14-24

14 – 15 – Wants to have all of them their and see the brother from the same mother

16 – Initial plan – one will be sent and the other remain in prison

17- All of them go to prison for 3 days to think about this

18 – 20 – Second plan – one will stay in prison while the others go get the other brother

21 – 22 – Guilt, repayment, pain, distress – even years later

22 – They were being heard

24 – Joseph didn’t like the distress he was causing but had to continue his plan to the end  - Joseph had already forgiven his brothers leading gain to 50:20

Questions:

·      They are in prison for three days.  What do you think they did during that time? (they were schemers before)

·      What was their reaction regarding the distress – even years later

·      Is it in the heart of man to know that sin has to be paid for?

1.   Jesus died because of sin and through His death justified us and saved us from God's wrath (Romans 5:9). "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree'" (Galatians 3:13).

2.   Death is God’s just consequence for sin. “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Even good works cannot make up for wrongs against the holy God. Compared to His goodness, “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6b). Ever since Adam’s sin, every human has been guilty of disobeying God’s righteous laws. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Sin is not just big things like murder or blasphemy, but also includes love of money, hatred of enemies, and deceit of tongue and pride. Because of sin, everyone has deserved death – eternal separation from God in hell.

3.   The substitutionary atonement refers to Jesus Christ dying as a substitute for sinners. The Scriptures teach that all men are sinners (Romans 3:9-18, 23). The penalty for our sinfulness is death. Romans 6:23 reads, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

4.   “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

5.   “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24).

Purpose 25-28

25 – The bags are filled but the money is put back in as well

26 – 28 – trembling in God’s hands – they were said that they were spies already – they could be counted as thieves

Questions:

·      God’s purposes – what are they and how do we find them out rather than just being amazed or terrified when we encounter them?

·      Does God work through people, including Joseph, to enlighten or amaze us?

·      Why do we still exist after Christ saves us?

1.   (Romans 8:28). Therefore, for the believer, all trials and tribulations must have a divine purpose.

2.   God’s ultimate purpose for us is to grow more and more into the image of His Son (Romans 8:29).

3.   The way trials accomplish this is explained in 1 Peter 1:6-7: "In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

4.   (Romans 5:3-5).

5.   (Romans 5:8)

6.   However, we must be careful never to make excuses for our "trials and tribulations" if they are a result of our own wrongdoing. "By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler" (1 Peter 4:15). God will forgive our sins because the eternal punishment for them has been paid by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. However, we still have to suffer the natural consequences in this life for our sins and bad choices. But God uses even those sufferings to mold and shape us for His purposes and our ultimate good.

7.   (James 1:2-4,12).

8.   (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Final Questions for the Board

·     What are your current plans?

·     Do you understand the problem that is all around us?

·     What do you speak of the penalty of this problem?

·     Are you working in His purpose or just thinking of your own?