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Joseph and his brothers - the final reconciliation.

by Howard Taylor.
Love is Painful.
- Tears at our hearts.
- God is truly Father.
- To be true to Himself He must judge the waywardness of humanity.
- He also desires to forgive.
- God really is torn between these agonising alternatives.
- There is only one way to be judging and forgiving at the same time.
- He bears the judgement due to us in Himself. Cross.
- On the cross the human heart of God  (taken in the humanity of Christ) is literally torn apart.

Gen 41 and 43
Can't read it all.

Summarise Gen 41
Joseph still in prison.
Chief Butler who had been helped by Joseph had forgotten him.
Meanwhile King of Egypt,  Pharaoh, has dreams.
- 7 fat cows 7 skinny cows.
- 7 healthy ears of Corn, 7 wasted ears of corn.
- No-one can interpret.
- Butler remembers J
- Brought out of Prison
- Pharaoh: 'You understand dreams?' (ie you are one of the experts)
- Jo: No. God only.
- Jo then interprets the dreams.
- 7 years of good harvest and 7 years of bad harvest.
- Advice: Appoint a wise man to organise the storage of spare grain in 7 years of plenty.
- ready for 7 bad years.
- Ph is impressed. Joseph is given the job and becomes a great prince in Egypt.
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Three Points:
1 The prophecy from God is meant to lead to action.
- Don't sit back and say: It is in the lap of the gods we humans can do nothing.
- Planned and worked.
- The world today is most dramatically fulfilling prophecy.
- Evil is gathering in momentum.
- But beyond it - God's Word of Righteousness, Justice and Love will  be fulfilled.
- What do we do? Sit back and say: Its in the hand of God.?
- No - we work harder.
- Work while it is day before the night comes.
- Pray 
- Take courage. Do not be afraid.
- Beyond the night is the dawn of an everlasting day.

2. Joseph, having been rejected by his bros is now exalted among the Foreigners - Gentiles or Egyptians.

3. Through Joseph the Egyptians come to recognise the true God.
38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?” 39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are.
- Name of Joseph's God, God of Ab, Isaac and Israel.
- v. different from religion of multitude of gods and a religion of magic, dreams and witchcraft.

The whole story is a wonderful prophecy of Jesus - 1900 years later
- His brother Jews rejects Him.. (He was Jewish - Mary)
- Just as Joseph's bros rejected him so Jesus' own people rejected Him. Cross.
- Now the name of Jesus is exalted in the Gentile world.
- Here in Scotland, Africa, China, Americas.Indonesia.
- In most countries of the world there is a Church of Jesus Christ.
- Through Him, Jesus, we have come to know the true God - God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
- Moses, 10 Commandments, Psalms, Prophets. All these from Jewish people.
- Even the NT every book except Luke and Acts written by Jewish people.

Foundation of Western Civilization.
- Countries whose cultures have been deeply infused by the Biblical faith have stood out for their
- freedom of thought,
- scientific development,
- beautiful art and music,
- unconditional humanitarian concern and democratic principles.

For example an important conclusion of the highly acclaimed: Human Accomplishment: The Pursuit of Excellence in the Arts and Sciences, 800 B.C. to 1950 by Charles Murray (HarperCollins, 2003).
Interestingly, not until the end of his research - just a few months before finishing the book, did he reach that conclusion It was a conclusion he didn't expect but he found that the evidence forced him to adopt it.

How did all this come to us?
- Through Jesus and His Cross.
- When we accepted Him we received all this.

- Without Jesus, we would not have received either Old or New Testaments.
- We would never have received
- 10 Commandments, Psalms, Sermon on Mount, Prophets,
- Message of unconditional love and Grace and Hope of eternal Life.

Yet His own people rejected Him (his brothers).
- Handed Him over for crucifixion.

We actualy owe our salvation to the fact that His own people rejected Him.
- Deep but wonderful mystery expounded by Paul in Romans 9-11.

1900 years before Jesus,
- It was  because Joseph's brothers rejected Jhim that Egypt was saved and Joseph was exalted.

Genesis 42, story begins to move to its dramatic climax.
- Has God forgotten Joseph's bros?
- Has God forgotten the Jewish people?
- No
- Scene moves from Egypt back to Canaan where the bros are:
Gen 42:1-5
1    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." Then ten of Joseph's brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph's brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him. So Israel's sons were among those who went to buy grain, for the famine was in the land of Canaan also. (NIV)

The way is beginning for the final reconciliation between Joseph and His bros.
Paul in Romans 11 asks 'Has God rejected His people?
- No!
Then in
Rom 11:11
11    Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.(NIV)
EXPAND
Luke 21:24 Jesus: Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until …
In other words:
Jews will seem to be forgotten
- their city ruled by Romans, Arabs, Crusaders, Arabs again, Turks, British and many others, but not forever.

- Hitler was afraid that one day a Jew would rule mankind.
- Ayatollah Khomeini - same fear.

- Fear justified because one day King of Kings - Jesus - before Him every knee shall bow.

So now in Gen 42 focus of attention returns to Jo's brothers.

They arrive in Egypt and Joseph speaks roughly to them.
(They don't recognise him but he knows them.)
- Spies.
- Prison for three days.
- Out of this ordeal they begin to reveal things to Joseph and one another.
Gen 42:10-13
10    "No, my lord," they answered. "Your servants have come to buy food.
11    We are all the sons of one man. Your servants are honest men, not spies."
12    "No!" he said to them. "You have come to see where our land is unprotected."
13    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. "(NIV)

Joseph learns about his family.
Then:
Gen 42:21-23
21    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's why this distress has come upon us."
22    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."
23    They did not realise that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter. (NIV)

The memory of their cruelty to Joseph comes back to them.
- Although Joseph behaves roughly to them - really he is hiding an overwhelming kindness - not vengeance.
- He could have sent them away empty handed.
- But instead gives them provisions and secretly puts their money back in their sacks so the grain costs them nothing.
- He keeps the pressure on them  by demanding they don't return for more food without bringing their youngest brother Benjamin.
- What was his real feeling towards them?
Gen 42:24a He turned away from them and began to weep, but then turned back and spoke to them again. (NIV)
Jews think that Jesus is hostile to them.
- (Middle Ages and Good Friday). (Soviet era priest).
- Parts of the Church today - even parts of the evangelical Church - say the Jesus is finished with them, but really Jesus weeps for them.
- 'Father Forgive them'.

Now Romans 9:1-5. (Note Paul says He is reflecting the mind of Christ.)
Rom 9:1-5
1 I speak the truth in Christ-- I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit--
2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.
3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, 4  the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, for ever praised! Amen. (NIV)

vs 5 Christ's human ancestry belongs to them.

Joseph's brothers were puzzled by this Prince of Egypt.
To the Jews today, Jesus is a mysterious figure.

They admire him, yet fear him.

Many Jewish schlars have great respect for his words.
(At a time when many 'Christian' Theological Colleges deny that we can know anything about what He actually said, Jewish scholars are saying that His words - as recorded in the gospels - are genuine.)

Yet NT is banned in some Israeli schools because it is thought that it is Jesus who is the root cause of all our suffering.

Romans 11 tells us that one day Israel will accept Jesus as its Messiah.
- New Life and Hope for all the world.
- But how will it happen?

In a moment we see how Joseph and Bros came together again and what light that sheds on Jesus and His people Israel.

Meanwhile the story so far - what relevance for us?
1. God is in control and will overrule sin of man for good.
2. We mujst not ber fatalistic and say: 'All in hands of God' but work for His kingdom.
3. We must always understand NT in light of Old and Old in light of New.
4. In Christ, our failings, sins and misfortunes are overruled and ultimately turned for good for ourselves and others. Cross.
'All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.
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Benjamin, Joseph's only full brother, (mother Rachel) comes into focus.
- The other bros return from Egypt to their father.
- Famine remains severe.
- Father Jacob (Israel) sends them back.
- They say they must take B with them because that is what the Prince of Egypt commanded they do if ever they return.
- Jacob is very reluctant.
- Judah, one of the bros offers himself as surety for B
Gen 43:9
9 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. (NIV)
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- Arrive in Egypt
- Jo invites them to his hoiuse.
- Gives them a meal.
(what strange treatment is this.)
- Seats them in order of age.
(how does he know their age order they wonder.)

Joseph longs for reconciliation with them.
Gen 43:30-31
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." (NIV)
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Jesus longs for reconciliation with the Jewish people.
Rom 10:1
1    Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. (NIV)

But reconciliation and repentance need one another.
- Without repentance reconciliation remains incomplete.

So Joseph puts them to the test.
V. Important point.
- God does not demand that we repent before He will love us.
- He loves us from the beginning. (Even while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.)
- He longs to be reconciled with us.
- This reconciliation cannot be complete if we remain hostile in attitude.
- So He desires our repentance.
- To bring us to repentance he may need to  break us - frost and warmth.

The bros had already confessed to one another their sin against Joseph.
- But now Joseph is bringing them to this point of really demonstrating a change of heart.
He test them by seeing how they will behave towards B..
- Will they leave him in slavery like they had left Joseph in slavery all those years before?

To test them
- First, Jo treats B with favouritism - much bigger portion of food than the other brothers.

- Second, he arranges for the arrest of B.
Sends them away, but puts his own silver cup in B's sack.

He sends troops after them and accuses them of stealing.
- They open their sacks and B is found to be guilty.

They return to Egypt and fall down before Joseph.
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Now he gives them an opportunity to betray B
- You go home in peace and B will be a slave here in Egypt.

Judah then makes a moving speech.

Ends with
Gen 44:33-34
33    "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.
34    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." (NIV)

Judah offers himself in place of B
- The very reverse of what they did to Joseph.

Now at last Joseph is able to reveal himself to them.
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Will Jesus and the Jewish people ever be reconciled?

Rom 11
1    I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.
Rom 11:11-12, 15
11    Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.
12    But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fulness bring!
15    For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
Rom 11:25
25    I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. (NIV)
Rom 11:26-27
26    And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. 27    And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins."
Vs 28-29.
28    As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs,
29    for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable. (NIV)

A warning and a duty for us who are Christians.
Rom 11:25
25    I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. (NIV)

Don't be conceited about Jewish unbelief.

Rom 11:11b salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. (NIV)

Our Christian duty to behave towards them so that they become envious of what we have in Christ.
- If we don't we are partly responsible for their unbelief.
- Crusades.
- 6,000,000 were killed before the Nazii era.
- Ordinary Jewish people think of Jesus as a foreigner.
- God of the gentiles.

To Joseph's bros he looked like an Egyptian.
- Egyptian dress and Egyptian language.
- So how does he reveal himself?

Gen 45:1-5
1    Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, "Make everyone leave my presence!" So there was no-one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers.
2    And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh's household heard about it.
3    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.
4    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!
5    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.

One day Jesus will draw near to his people.
I am your brother whom you handed over to be crucified - but don't be afraid, God meant it for good for the salvation of the world.

It will be the beginning of a great repentance for Israel, Arabs,
- Whole world including the Church.
- We will all have much to say sorry for.

The ways of God are so deep.
- They deal deeply with our human condition as individuals and nations.

Paul sums up his argument with these words:
Rom 11:33-36
33    Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
34    "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counsellor?"
35    "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?"
36    For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory for ever! Amen. (NIV)

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