Oasis 1.30.24

OASIS – Winter 2024 – January 30/31, 2024 JOSEPH: part 4 of 4 – “Forgiveness” - Genesis 42-45 and 50 Review of Genesis 12-36: Key themes unfolding in the family tree of Abraham: • • •

Overt Deception Devious behavior Family Dysfunction

Lessons from our first three weeks of the Joseph study: • • • •

Joseph’s ordeal uncovers the danger of favoritism, jealousy and rage.

Joseph’s ordeal teaches us integrity is always the right answer and God is always in control (sovereign).

Joseph pays a price for doing the RIGHT THING, but God is still in control.

Joseph lives by this motto: “Not I, but God!” This leads to prosperity and power beyond Joseph’s wildest dreams!

Context for Genesis 42-44: Joseph controls a series of events to put himself in position for ULTIMATE REVENGE on those who truly wronged him.

Act I: Genesis 42:1-5 – The family patriarch, Jacob, sends his 10 oldest sons to Egypt in search of GRAIN (food). The devastating famine from Genesis 41 has created an extreme life circumstance.

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“When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, ‘Why do you just keep looking at each other?’ He continued, ‘I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.” Genesis 42:1-2

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Jacob doesn’t send the youngest son Benjamin, out of fear and protection.

Act II: Genesis 42:6ff – Joseph recognizes his older brothers, but they do NOT know him. Joseph will make the most of this opportunity to allow the possibility of REVENGE. •

“Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the one who sold grain to all its people. So, when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. ‘Where do you come from?’ he asked. ‘From the land of Canaan,’ they replied, ‘to buy food.’ Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.” Genesis 42:6-8

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“On the third day, Joseph said to them, ‘Do this and you will live, for I fear God: If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here in prison, while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving 1

households. But you must bring back your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified and that you may not die.’ This they proceeded to do.” Genesis 42:18-20 •

“They said to one another, ‘Surely, we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that is why this distress has come upon us.’

Reuben replied, ‘Didn’t’ I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.’”

Genesis 42:21-22

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“He (Joseph) turned away from them and began to weep . . .” Genesis 42:24

The STING and STAIN of SIN is alive and well in the hearts of the sons of Jacob!

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As the brothers return home from their trip to Egypt, they stop and discover that not only do they have grain in their sacks, but also the silver they thought had been used to purchase the grain was in their sacks as well. This causes further STRESS and ANXIETY!

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“’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?’” Genesis 42:28

Act III: Genesis 43 – A second journey commences, this time all ELEVEN remaining brothers make the trip, against the wishes of Jacob.

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Jacob (Israel) is so burdened by the unfolding reality that conversations ensue that no family should ever be forced to engage in. Reuben offers the lives of his two sons as collateral should something happen to Benjamin.

Judah takes personal responsibility for the safety of Benjamin and Jacob eventually relents.

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The eleven brothers return to Joseph with double the silver to purchase grain for the ever-growing family.

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Joseph continues to be deeply emotional: “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.’ 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.” Genesis 43:29-30

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Joseph does drop this hint: “When the portions were served to them (the 11) from Joseph’s table, Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as anyone else’s. So, they feasted and drank freely with him.” Genesis 43:34 2

Act IV: Genesis 44 – Joseph stages an apparent THEFT, seemingly implicating Benjamin, and the other TEN brothers are struck with AGONY and FEAR. •

Joseph’s Silver Cup ends up in Benjamin’s sack. (vv. 1-12) o “And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.” Genesis 44:12 o “At this, they tore their clothes.” Genesis 44:13

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It seems that Benjamin will be forced to become Joseph’s SLAVE, and Judah pleads with Joseph for MERCY. (vv. 13-34) o “Then Judah went up to him and said: ‘Please, my lord, let your servant speak a word to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, though you are equal to Pharaoh himself. My lord asked his servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’ And we answered, ‘We have an aged father, and there is a young son born to him in his old age. His brother is dead, and he is the only one of his mother’s sons left, and his father loves him.’” Genesis 44:18-20 o Judah offers to trade places with Benjamin and become a slave! o “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 upon my father.” Genesis 44:33

Act V: Genesis 45 – DECISION TIME! Joseph’s INTEGRITY and TRUST in God keeps him from exacting REVENGE. •

Joseph continues to be emotionally charged to the point that everyone is aware there is a problem: “Joseph wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.” Genesis 45:2

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“Joseph said to his brother, ‘I am Joseph! Is my father still living?’ But his brothers were unable to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. 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. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing or 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.’” Genesis 45:3-8 3

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Pharaoh learns of the series of events and extends the welcome mat to the entire family of Jacob and “Joseph-like” blessings begin flow:

“When 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.” Genesis 45:16-18 The Point: Joseph chooses FORGIVENESS, which leads to RESTORATION, instead of choosing REVENGE, which would only bring about further DIVISION. Question: Why is choosing FORGIVENESS so difficult and painful? _______________ Forgiveness MYTHS: • • • •

Forgiveness and positive feelings/vibes always go hand in hand.

Forgiveness means forgetting.

Forgiveness requires a long-drawn-out process and cannot take place until total healing is complete.

Forgiveness will always make things better.

Truth about FORGIVENESS: #1: Choosing FORGIVENESS can be DIFFICULT and PAINFUL. #2: Unconditional FORGIVENESS is the ONLY correct response for Christ Followers. #3: True FORGIVENESS does not ERASE negative EMOTIONS and FEELINGS. #4: Granting FORGIVENESS and PRAYING/HOPING for JUSTICE are not incompatible concepts! #5: All of our dealings with a person who wrongs us should focus on bringing that person into a SAVING relationship with Jesus Christ!

Act VI: Genesis 50 – The REST of the story, post-Jacob!

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Joseph SEALED the reconciliation process, instead of chasing revenge, after the death of his father Jacob.

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“When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, ‘What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?’” Genesis 50:15

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“But Joseph said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.’ And he assured them and spoke kindly to them.” Genesis 50: 19-21

Two thoughts in summary: First, Joseph acknowledges the SOVEREIGNTY of God. •

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

Second, Joseph foreshadows the teachings of Jesus, that FORGIVENESS is NOT optional and it honors God first and foremost.

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“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15

Questions to contemplate: •

Where is your heart this morning/evening as we study Joseph and his willingness to reject vengeance and embrace forgiveness?

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Are you struggling to forgive someone?

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Do you need to seek forgiveness from someone?

Forgiveness Scriptures:

Jesus in Matthew 6:14-15: “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Jesus in Mark 11:25: “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Jesus in Matthew 18:21-22: “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

Paul in Colossians 3:13: “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

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Paul in 2 Corinthians 2:10-11: “If you forgive anyone, I also will forgive him. And what I have forgiven – if there was anything to forgive – I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.”

Paul in Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Jesus in Luke 23:33-34: “When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals – one on his right, the other on his left.

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Forgiveness Quotes: "Nothing in the Christian life is more important than forgiveness—our forgiveness of others and God's forgiveness of us." John MacArthur, Jr., Alone with God "We are to forgive so that we may enjoy God's goodness without feeling the weight of anger burning deep within our hearts. Forgiveness does not mean we recant the fact that what happened to us was wrong. Instead, we roll our burdens onto the Lord and allow Him to carry them for us." Charles Stanley, Landmines in the Path of the Believer "The best way to get the last word is to apologize." God's Little Devotional Book for Women "To be forgiven is such sweetness that honey is tasteless in comparison with it.

But yet there is one thing sweeter still, and that is to forgive. As it is more blessed to give than to receive, so to forgive rises a stage higher in experience than to be forgiven." Charles Spurgeon "Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free, and to realize the prisoner was you." Corrie Ten Boom, a Christian woman who survived a Nazi concentration camp during the Holocaust.

“The Glory of Christianity is to conquer by Forgiveness.” William Blake “When Jesus, nailed to a Roman cross, prayed ‘Father, Forgive them,’ He wielded a weapon against which Caesar himself had no power . . . who can stand up to the force of forgiveness?” Elisabeth Elliot Next week February 6/7: Moses, part 1. Exodus 3-4: Identity Crisis 101.

Save the date: Easter at the Arena, Sunday morning March 31 at 10:00 a.m.

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